If I have not requested the reduction in 2025, can I still request it in 2026?

Yes. The right to a rent reduction exists as long as the rent is calculated at a higher rate than the current FOAB reference rate (1.25%). Even if you missed the opportunity to apply immediately in 2025, you can submit a formal request in 2026 or later. The adjustment will take effect from the month following the request, even if the rate changed many months earlier. There is no narrow legal deadline for action.

How do I know exactly the rate on which my rent is calculated?

The rate must be stated in the rental contract, usually in the section on rent clauses or adjustments. If it is not clearly specified, contact the landlord or the administration in writing and ask explicitly which reference mortgage rate was used. If the contract indicates a percentage, compare it with the current FOAB rate (1.25%). Always keep the answer for your records.

If the owner rejects my reduction request, what can I do?

If the refusal is not justified by federal law, you can appeal to the cantonal conciliation authority for tenancy disputes. Each canton has a competent authority; the appeal is free of charge or at a low cost. Submit a written complaint within the time limits set by law (usually 30 days from the notification of the refusal). Keep all the documentation of your original request.

Is the TiAffitto form mandatory to submit the request?

No. The law does not require you to use a specific form. You can submit a request with a simple letter, as long as it is written, dated and sent in a traceable form (registered mail or certified email). However, using a standardized form such as TiAffitto makes the request more formal and documented, which is useful in case of a dispute. The Swiss Tenants Association provides these templates free of charge.

How much money could I save with a rent reduction?

It depends on the amount of your rent and the gap between the current rate (1.25%) and the rate on which your rent is based. Every 0.25% difference can mean CHF 30–50 in monthly savings on a rent of CHF 1,500. If your contract rate is 1.75% and changes to 1.25% (0.50% difference), you could save CHF 60–100 per month, i.e. CHF 720–1,200 per year. Calculate your specific case and take action as soon as possible.

Your rent doesn't go down on its own. You have to ask for it (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 8 September 2026

A typical Swiss home overlooking Lake Lugano, representing rental costs in Switzerland

Mortgage rate stuck at 1.25%, but only 12% of tenants asked for a reduction. Here's how to check if you are entitled to pay less.

Context

In short

Mortgage rate stuck at 1.25% from September 2025
Only 12% of tenants requested the second adjustment
Tenants must submit a written request to obtain the reduction
If the rent is at higher rates, the right to the reduction remains

Key facts

What: Adjustment of the rent based on the reference mortgage rate
When: Rate stuck at 1.25% from 2 September 2025; confirmed to 2 September 2026
Where: Switzerland (FOB - Federal Housing Office)
Who: Tenants and owners; Swiss Tenants Association
Percentage affected: Only 12% of tenants requested the second adjustment (April 2026)
Previous rates: 1.75% (before 2025), then 1.50%, currently 1.25%

The Swiss benchmark mortgage rate has remained stable at 1.25% since 2 September 2025. In September 2026, the Federal Housing Office (FOB) confirmed that the rate remains unchanged. However, this stability does not automatically mean that those who pay rent based on a higher rate can remain passive: if their rent is still calculated at 1.50% or higher, the right to a reduction remains intact.

The mechanism that regulates renter adjustments is simple but often ignored: the reduction in the rate does not automatically reduce the monthly rent. When rates rise, the owner or management communicates it directly to the tenant. When they come down, however, silence is the norm. The tenant must independently verify the situation and submit a formal written request to obtain the adjustment. Se vuoi capire meglio come il costo della vita e l'alloggio influiscono sulle tue finanze personali, scopri di più nel nostro approfondimento.

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Operational details

Because the reduction is not automatic

Here lies the heart of the problem. Rental contracts in Switzerland are governed by federal law (Code of Obligations), but do not provide for an automatic downward adjustment mechanism. When the owner increases the rent due to higher mortgage rates, communication is mandatory and occurs via formal notification. When rates drop, however, it is the tenant who has to take the initiative and submit the application.

The tenant must take the first step: check their contract, compare the declared rate with the UFAB's current reference mortgage rate, and submit a formal written request to the owner or management. A specific form is not required by law, but it is advisable to use a documented and certified form. TiAffitto, the model mentioned in the original source, is one of the standardized models available to facilitate the request.

The numbers say it all

The 12% figure is eloquent and worrying at the same time. As of April 2026, almost nine out of ten tenants had not yet requested the second adjustment for 2025. This means that tens of thousands of people in Switzerland continued to pay a higher rent than justified by the reference rate. Many probably didn't even know they had the right to ask. Others knew but had put it off, didn't know how to proceed, or didn't fully understand the procedure.

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Key points

How to proceed: step-by-step

Step 1: Check your contract. Open the rental agreement and look for the clause that specifies the 'reference mortgage rate' or simply 'mortgage rate'. Note the exact percentage rate at which the rent is tied. If it is not specifically stated in the contract, contact the owner or management in writing and ask for it explicitly.

Step 2: Compare with the current rate. The UFAB reference rate from 2 September 2025 is 1.25%. If your contract says 1.50%, 1.75% or any other higher percentage, you have the right to request an adjustment of the rent to the current rate.

Step 3: Contact the owner or management. Send a registered letter (or certified email if accepted) formally requesting the adjustment of the rent to the current rate. Use a clear and precise formula: 'I request the rent adjustment based on the reference mortgage rate currently at 1.25%, as communicated by the UFAB on 2 September 2025'.

Step 4: Keep your documentation. Keep a copy of your request and any response you receive. If the owner refuses without reasons justified by law, you can appeal to the cantonal conciliation authority for rental disputes. The appeal is usually free or low cost.

Where to find help

The Swiss Tenants Association has standardized forms (such as the aforementioned TiAffitto) and detailed guidelines to facilitate the request. Many cantons have specialized conciliation offices for tenancy disputes. In case of difficulties or unjustified refusals from the owner, you can contact a lawyer specialized in rental law, even if the first step—the letter of request—is simple and you can do it independently.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If I have not requested the reduction in 2025, can I still request it in 2026?: Yes. The right to a rent reduction exists as long as the rent is calculated at a higher rate than the current FOAB reference rate (1.25%). Even if you missed the opportunity to apply immediately in 2025, you can submit a formal request in 2026 or later. The adjustment will take effect from the month following the request, even if the rate changed many months earlier. There is no narrow legal deadline for action.
How do I know exactly the rate on which my rent is calculated?: The rate must be stated in the rental contract, usually in the section on rent clauses or adjustments. If it is not clearly specified, contact the landlord or the administration in writing and ask explicitly which reference mortgage rate was used. If the contract indicates a percentage, compare it with the current FOAB rate (1.25%). Always keep the answer for your records.
If the owner rejects my reduction request, what can I do?: If the refusal is not justified by federal law, you can appeal to the cantonal conciliation authority for tenancy disputes. Each canton has a competent authority; the appeal is free of charge or at a low cost. Submit a written complaint within the time limits set by law (usually 30 days from the notification of the refusal). Keep all the documentation of your original request.
Is the TiAffitto form mandatory to submit the request?: No. The law does not require you to use a specific form. You can submit a request with a simple letter, as long as it is written, dated and sent in a traceable form (registered mail or certified email). However, using a standardized form such as TiAffitto makes the request more formal and documented, which is useful in case of a dispute. The Swiss Tenants Association provides these templates free of charge.
How much money could I save with a rent reduction?: It depends on the amount of your rent and the gap between the current rate (1.25%) and the rate on which your rent is based. Every 0.25% difference can mean CHF 30–50 in monthly savings on a rent of CHF 1,500. If your contract rate is 1.75% and changes to 1.25% (0.50% difference), you could save CHF 60–100 per month, i.e. CHF 720–1,200 per year. Calculate your specific case and take action as soon as possible.