Swiss Apartments Renovated & Resold for Huge Profit – Tenant Concerns Rise

Twenty-four apartments in Bern, Switzerland, recently available at affordable rents are now slated for sale, with an asking price of 1.2 million Swiss francs, following renovations. The properties, located at Muristrasse 168 and 170 in the Egghölzli neighborhood, are currently undergoing extensive refurbishment.

The practice of acquiring rental properties, renovating them, and then selling them at a substantial profit has drawn criticism from tenant advocacy groups. The Mieterverband (Tenant Association) views this as further evidence that renovation projects should be subject to stricter regulations.

The Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband Kanton Bern, reachable at Monbijoustrasse 61 in Bern, offers legal counsel and support to tenants, including assistance with terminating leases, according to information available through search.ch. The association provides free legal advice via email, legal protection in disputes, and support with housing termination at preferential rates.

The Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband provides a hotline for legal questions, operating Mondays from 9:00 to 15:00 and Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:00 to 12:30. Separate regional branches exist throughout Switzerland, including Aargau, Basel-Stadt, and Zurich, each offering localized support.

For inquiries regarding advice, legal information, and membership, individuals are directed to contact the appropriate section of the Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband. The national umbrella organization, Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband Schweiz, is located at Monbijoustrasse 61, 3007 Bern, and can be reached at 031 301 90 50 or via email at [email protected].

The investor responsible for the renovations has not been publicly identified. The Mieterverband has not specified what form the additional regulations on renovation projects should take.