Rent a Duplex
Renting a maisonette in Switzerland
Are you looking for a home separated into clear zones across two levels? Maisonette flats offer a generous amount of space, often with a gallery and internal staircase – ideal for couples, families or people who work from home. Thanks to their vertical structure, these flats often make it feel as though you are living in a house.
Maisonette living at a glance
Suitable for couples, families and people who need space
Advantages: separation of living and sleeping areas, lots of light and air
Things to consider: stairs, footfall noise and child safety
In high demand in urban areas; limited supply depending on the region
Market overview for maisonette rentals in Switzerland
The total housing stock in Switzerland comprises 4'840'096 flats (all sizes). In the last five years, {new_apartments} new flats have been built – the majority were three-room (71'190) and four-room (61'659) flats. This has meant a change in family-friendly floor plans; however, multi-storey flats remain a niche market, which is why the selection varies by canton. Demand for rental properties is stable: 75% of monthly rents for rental properties as a whole are below or equal to CHF 2070. Larger, multi-storey flats may cost more than average as a result of their size and location.
What costs are involved in renting a maisonette?
The average monthly rent for rental properties is CHF 1640; a quarter of rents (25%) are cheaper, at CHF 1300. In addition to the net rent, there are utility costs (e.g. heating, hot water, building maintenance), which must be specified in the rental agreement in accordance with Swiss tenancy law. It is customary to pay a rental deposit of up to three months’ net rent into an escrow account. When planning your budget, you will need to take your personal tax burden into account. According to the available data, the average tax burden is 12.38%; examples of different tax burdens range from 18.29% (single, no children) or 12.34% (childless couple) to 8.79% (couple with two children) or 16.94% (retired couple). As a rough guide, the average income in Switzerland is CHF 81'875.
A step-by-step guide to deciding whether renting a maisonette is right for you
Define your requirements: number of rooms, willingness to accept stairs, office, child-friendliness.
Set your budget: net rent, utilities, deposit, taxes, moving costs.
Assess the location: public transport, schools, shopping, noise and quality of neighbourhood.
Evaluate the floor plan: footfall noise, stair safety, lighting, storage space.
Review documents: rental agreement, list of utility costs, house rules, renovations.
Prepare your application: credit report, proof of income, ID.
Make a record of the viewing: note any defects, clarify handover and appointment.
Next steps
Start searching for maisonette flats now, set precise filters and arrange viewings. Have your documents ready and compare several properties to make an informed assessment of the rent, utilities and location.
