There are times when you would like to rent a house of your own, but you may not be able to because of financial reasons. This is when you could consider the choice to rent a townhouse. This way, you and friends or family can share the space but still have plenty of room.

There are different townhouse for rent communities throughout the country and you can easily find a rental that appeals to you the most. All that you need to do is search for "townhouse rental" and choose a building that will work for everyone who will be living there.

Renting a terraced house in Switzerland

A terraced house offers family-friendly living space, a private outdoor area and an efficient floor plan. It is suitable for couples and families who want more room than a flat can offer. The selection is limited: the vacancy rate for flats with 5 rooms is 0.72%, and for flats with more than 5 rooms, it is 0.84% (overall housing market in Switzerland).

At a glance: renting a terraced house

• Space, garden and privacy; moderate operating costs.

• Good locations in the suburbs with public transport and schools.

• Less space than a detached house (shared fire walls).

• Tenancy law offers protection; clear rules on utilities and rent adjustments.

Market overview for terraced houses in Switzerland

The Swiss housing market is fast-paced. There are a total of 4’840’096 flats (existing stock, Switzerland). Over the last 5 years, 61’659 new 4-room flats, 26’158 5-room flats and 10’938 flats with at least 6 rooms have been built (new builds, Switzerland). The overall vacancy rate is 1.01%; for 4-room flats, it is 0.97%, for 5-room flats 0.72% and for flats with more than 5 rooms 0.84% (flats in general). These figures indicate high demand for larger units – typical for terraced houses. The average monthly rent for rental properties in general is CHF 1640; a quarter of rental properties on offer are priced at CHF 1300 or less, and three quarters at CHF 2070 or less. Terraced houses are often on offer for above the average price – and not just in popular neighbourhoods.

Costs of renting a terraced house

The costs consist of the net rent and utilities (e.g. heating, hot water, rubbish collection); utilities are billed as provisional advance payments or as a flat rate. Rent adjustments may be made in line with the reference interest rate and inflation. The average tax burden in Switzerland is 12.38%; your individual rate depends on your income, marital status and deductions. Plan additional budget for moving, your rental deposit, insurance (household contents, personal liability) and minor purchases.

A step-by-step guide to deciding whether a terraced house is right for you

1. Define your requirements: number of rooms, location, public transport, schools, outdoor space.

2. Set your budget: net rent, utilities, reserves, insurance.

3. Filter listings and enquire early; check the energy efficiency rating of the property and the year it was constructed.

4. Viewing: clarify sound insulation, garden maintenance rules, communal areas.

5. Review the tenancy agreement: provisions governing utilities, reference interest rate, house rules, walk-through checklist documenting the state of the property at handover.

6. Provide documents: credit report, proof of income; agree on deposit and dates.

Next steps

Start your search with precise filters and activate notifications for your saved searches. Arrange viewings promptly and use our checklists to organise your documents and review contracts. Clarify questions about tenancy law directly with the property management company – we offer support with comparisons, viewings and closing the deal.