Switzerland has some of the strongest tenant rights in the world.
Most expats have no idea.

When the reference interest rate drops, your landlord is legally required to lower your rent — if you ask. Check in 30 seconds if you're entitled to a rent reduction.

Check my eligibility now →

Wohniq is under development. Sign up for the free beta — Wohniq will check automatically for you every quarter, so you never have to think about it again.

Swiss tenant rights explained

Your rent is tied to an interest rate. When it drops, you're owed money back.

Switzerland links rents to the national reference interest rate (Referenzzinssatz), published by the Federal Housing Office four times a year. When the rate drops, tenants are legally entitled to a rent reduction under Swiss law (CO Art. 270a). When it rises, landlords may request an increase. Most tenants — especially those new to Switzerland — have no idea this system exists. Wohniq watches the rate for you and handles everything when it changes.

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Never miss a change

The reference rate is published four times a year. Wohniq watches it for you — and notifies you immediately when something changes.

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Not a dispute — a formula

A rent reduction request isn't a fight with your landlord. It's an administrative process governed by a fixed legal formula. Routine, not adversarial.

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Your data, protected

Hosted in Switzerland, nDSG-compliant. Your lease data always stays private — no uploads, no accounts needed for the free calculator.

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Free during beta

Wohniq is completely free during beta. No credit card, no commitment.

How Wohniq works

Three steps. Zero stress.

You share your rent and the reference rate from your lease. We handle the rest — every quarter, forever.

Step 01

Enter your lease details

Share your current rent and the reference rate stated in your lease. Takes two minutes. Not sure where to find it? We'll help.

Step 02

We check for you

The Federal Housing Office publishes the reference rate four times a year. We automatically check whether you're entitled to a rent reduction — and calculate the exact amount.

Step 03

We notify — and act

You receive a clear notification when you have a claim. We generate your formal rent reduction letter immediately — ready to send, legally correct, in your language.

Check your eligibility now — it takes 30 seconds.

The free calculator is currently available in German only. Sign up for the beta — we'll notify you when the English version launches.

Why Wohniq exists

88% never claim their rent reduction. Here's why.

The right to a rent reduction is enshrined in Swiss law (CO Art. 270a). The problem is that the information doesn't reach most tenants — especially those new to Switzerland.

Reason 01🤷

"I had no idea this was a thing"

Most tenants — especially expats and newcomers — simply don't know this right exists. It's not explained when you sign your lease. You have to know where to look.

"I've been in Switzerland for three years and nobody ever told me."

Reason 02⏱️

"I missed the deadline"

Rent reduction requests must be submitted on time — usually for the next notice date. Miss it and you have to wait another quarter. The system doesn't remind you.

"By the time I understood the process, I had already missed the deadline."

Reason 03😟

"I didn't want to rock the boat"

Housing is scarce. Many tenants worry that asserting their rights might damage their relationship with their landlord. But a rent reduction request isn't a complaint — it's administrative. And once you submit it, you're legally protected against retaliatory eviction for 3 years (CO Art. 271a).

"I didn't want to cause trouble. I like where I live."

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Wohniq is designed for all three barriers. We check the reference rate every quarter so you never miss a deadline. We generate your letter instantly. And we make the process routine and normal — because legally, it is. Your landlord won't forget to claim an increase. You shouldn't forget to claim a reduction.

Beta

Free. Full stop.

Wohniq is completely free during beta. No credit card, no hidden fees, no commitment. We're focused on building the best possible product — and will let you know well in advance when that changes.

Free

during beta — no time limit

✓Reference rate checked four times a year for you
✓Immediate notification when you have a claim
✓Formal rent reduction letter created and sent
✓Also covers pending rent increases

Wohniq is under development. The beta is free — we'll communicate any future pricing transparently and in advance.

FAQ

Good to know.

Honest answers — especially for those new to the Swiss rental system.

What is the reference interest rate?

The reference interest rate (Referenzzinssatz) is published four times a year by the Swiss Federal Housing Office (FHO). Swiss law requires landlords to use it as the basis for rent calculations — when it drops, tenants are entitled to a rent reduction. When it rises, landlords may request an increase.

Am I entitled to lower rent?

That depends on the reference rate stated in your lease or last formal rent adjustment letter. If the current rate is lower than what's in your lease, you probably have a claim. Check it now for free at wohniq.ch/check (currently German only).

Is this a dispute with my landlord?

No — and this is important. A rent reduction request based on the reference rate is not a complaint or a dispute. It's a standard administrative process governed by a fixed legal formula. Your landlord (or their property management) will have a standardized process for handling it. It's routine, not adversarial.

Can my landlord terminate my lease because I claimed a reduction?

No — this is explicitly prohibited. Once you submit a rent reduction request, you are legally protected against retaliatory eviction for 3 years (CO Art. 271a). Any notice given in this context would be considered abusive and can be challenged before the conciliation authority. Rent reductions are a normal, everyday part of Swiss tenancy — administrative, not adversarial.

What if my landlord refuses?

A landlord can refuse if they claim rising costs (inflation, maintenance). In that case you have the right to request a detailed breakdown of those costs within 30 days. Miss that window and challenging the refusal becomes harder — so act promptly. If your landlord doesn't respond at all, you can contact the conciliation authority (Schlichtungsbehörde) for free — an official body that mediates tenancy disputes.

Does this apply to my lease?

Not all leases are tied to the reference rate. Indexed leases, stepped rents, state-subsidised housing and fixed-term leases are excluded. If you're unsure, the free calculator at wohniq.ch/check will tell you.

Is Wohniq a legal service?

No — Wohniq is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We generate template letters based on Swiss tenancy law (CO Art. 270a). For complex disputes we recommend the Mieterverband (Swiss Tenants' Association).

When can I use Wohniq?

We're building it now. You can already use the free calculator (currently German only) at wohniq.ch/check. Sign up for the beta — you'll be the first to know when the English version launches.

Switzerland has some of the strongest tenant rights in the world.Most expats have no idea.