Apartment Handover in Switzerland: Checklist and Deposit
Published on 14.10.2026 · Updated on 15.10.2026 · Offrendo editorial team
At the apartment handover in Switzerland, you return the apartment cleared, cleaned and with all keys, in the condition that results from normal use under the tenancy agreement (Art. 267 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO). You do not pay for normal wear and tear, but you do pay for damage. The landlord or property management inspects the apartment at the handover and must report defects immediately (Art. 267a CO). End-of-tenancy cleaning with a handover guarantee costs CHF 650 to 1,300 for 3.5 rooms and is the safest way to a smooth handover and the full return of your rental deposit.
What does end-of-tenancy cleaning cost? How big is the apartment?
Checklist: getting the apartment ready for handover
- Completely clear the apartment, cellar, attic, balcony and letterbox
- Fill holes from wall plugs properly, if this is required by the tenancy agreement or local practice
- Fix small defects: dripping taps, broken light bulbs, shower hose, fridge seal (minor maintenance is the tenant's responsibility, Art. 259 CO)
- End-of-tenancy cleaning: kitchen including oven, steam oven, extractor hood and filter, defrosted fridge; descaled bathroom; windows with frames; blinds; floors; cupboards inside; radiators
- Have all keys ready, including any copies you had made yourself
- Note the electricity meter readings, cancel or transfer electricity and internet
- Register your new address with the residents' registration office (Einwohnerkontrolle) within the cantonal deadline (usually 14 days)
The handover protocol
At the handover appointment, the property management goes through the apartment room by room and records defects in the handover protocol (Abgabeprotokoll, in French état des lieux de sortie). It typically contains:
- the condition of floors, walls, ceilings, windows, kitchen and bathroom
- the defects found and whether the tenant is liable for them
- the number of keys returned and the meter readings
Only sign what is correct. If you disagree with a point, note this directly in the protocol (‘not acknowledged’). A signature confirms the condition, not automatically an obligation to pay – but read carefully before you sign anything that acknowledges a debt. If the protocol is in a language you do not read well, take your time or bring someone who can help.
Normal wear and tear or damage?
What results from normal living is covered by the rent, so you do not pay for it. This includes slightly yellowed walls, marks left by furniture, normal signs of use on parquet floors or areas faded by sunlight.
Damage, on the other hand, is your responsibility – for example burn holes, deep scratches, water damage caused by carelessness, smoke damage or damage caused by pets. Even then, you only pay the current value: the older a fixture, the less you pay. A common benchmark is the joint lifespan table (paritätische Lebensdauertabelle) of the homeowners' and tenants' associations.
Reporting defects: which deadlines apply
The landlord must check the condition of the apartment at the handover and report defects you are responsible for immediately (Art. 267a CO). If they fail to do so, they lose their claims – except for defects that could not be identified in a normal inspection. Such hidden defects must be reported immediately after they are discovered.
In practice this means: anything that is not in the protocol and not submitted in writing within a few days can hardly be claimed later.
Getting your rental deposit back
For apartments, the rental deposit is at most three months' rent and is held in a blocked account in your name (Art. 257e CO). The bank pays it out when both sides agree. If the landlord has not taken legal action on a claim within one year of the end of the tenancy, you can request the repayment on your own.
Tip: ask the property management to release the deposit straight after a handover without defects. With end-of-tenancy cleaning that includes a handover guarantee, there is rarely a reason to withhold it.
What cleaning and clearance cost
With a handover guarantee, the cleaning company attends the handover and re-cleans anything the property management objects to, immediately and free of charge. Without a guarantee, re-cleaning ordered by the property management is often deducted from your deposit.
| Service | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| End-of-tenancy cleaning, 3.5 rooms, with handover guarantee | CHF 650 – 1,300 |
| Window cleaning inside and out, incl. frames | CHF 15 – 35 per window |
| Clearing a cellar or attic | CHF 300 – 1,500 |
| Apartment clearance, 3.5 rooms | CHF 1,500 – 4,000 |
| Re-cleaning by the property management without guarantee | often CHF 200 – 600, deducted from the deposit |
Indicative prices 2026 incl. VAT (Offrendo price guide). The final price depends on condition, number of windows, blinds and additional areas such as cellar or balcony.
Comparing quotes for cleaning and clearance
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Cleaning in your region: local pages
Sources & methodology
As of: 15.10.2026 · editorially reviewed by the Offrendo editorial team
Basis: publicly available price information from Swiss specialist companies, industry information from the professional organisations listed below and Offrendo's own market data where sufficient data is available. All prices are indicative values in CHF incl. VAT for Switzerland – not quotes.
Percentages for price differences, surcharges or budget shares are industry experience values, not Offrendo statistics.
Offrendo's own market data will be included as soon as there are at least 20 quotes per category. Insights →
Professional organisations and primary sources
- Allpura – Verband Schweizer Reinigungs-Unternehmen
- Swiss Code of Obligations (Art. 257e, 259, 264, 267, 267a CO) – Fedlex
- Swiss Tenants' Association (Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband Schweiz)
- HEV Schweiz (Swiss Homeowners' Association)
Public sources for the guide prices (checked on 15.10.2026)
- End-of-tenancy cleaning, 3.5 rooms, with handover guarantee: CHF 650 – CHF 1'300 flat rate · Sources: comparis.ch (2026), ofri.ch (2026)
- Window cleaning (inside + outside, incl. frames): CHF 15 – CHF 35 per window · Sources: offerten-portal.ch (2026), swissofferten.ch (2026)
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to repaint the walls when I move out?
No, not because of normal wear and tear. You only have to repaint if you caused damage (e.g. smoke, heavy soiling, your own paint colours without consent) – and even then only proportionately, based on the current value.
What happens if the property management finds defects at the handover?
They record them in the handover protocol. If you disagree, note this in the protocol. With a handover guarantee, the cleaning company re-cleans cleaning defects immediately and free of charge.
When do I get my rental deposit back?
As soon as you and the landlord agree to release it. If the landlord takes no legal action on a claim within one year, you can request the deposit back on your own (Art. 257e CO).
Can I move out before the end of my notice period?
Yes, if you propose an acceptable, solvent replacement tenant who is willing to take over the agreement on the same terms (Art. 264 CO). The handover then takes place on the earlier date agreed – cleaning and clearance apply in the same way.
How much does end-of-tenancy cleaning with a handover guarantee cost?
For a 3.5-room apartment usually CHF 650 to 1,300, depending on condition, number of windows, blinds and additional areas such as a cellar or balcony.
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