How to Get Along Well with Your Neighbours in Switzerland? A Guide to House Rules and the Laundry Room
Swiss house rules, laundry schedules, quiet hours and neighbour disputes — what Hungarian expats need to know before it turns into a problem.
Why is the house rules document particularly important in Switzerland?
In the Swiss rental market, rules for living together are not based on custom, but on written documents. In most rental properties, the lease agreement (Mietvertrag) includes an annex containing house rules (Hausordnung), which the tenant accepts when signing the contract — making them legally binding.
This system is no accident: Switzerland has an exceptionally high share of tenants. According to 2023 data from the Federal Statistical Office (Bundesamt für Statistik / BFS), nearly 57% of households live in rented accommodation. With such a high proportion, regulating shared spaces and standards for coexistence is necessary — and the Swiss legal system takes this seriously.
As a Hungarian, one of the most common misunderstandings is to assume that the rules set out in the house rules are only recommendations. They are not. Under Article 257f of the Swiss Code of Obligations (Obligationenrecht / OR), the landlord may terminate the lease if the tenant seriously violates the interests of neighbours, other residents, or the landlord — and this also applies to complaints from neighbours.
What are the basics of the house rules (Hausordnung)?
The Hausordnung is a written internal set of rules drawn up by the landlord (Vermieter) or the caretaker (Hauswart / concierge). Its content varies from building to building, but it typically covers the following areas:
Topic | Typical content |
|---|---|
Quiet hours (Ruhezeiten) | When noise is prohibited |
Laundry room (Waschküche) | Schedule, cleaning obligations |
Waste disposal (Kehricht) | When, where, and in which bin to dispose of waste |
Common areas | Use of the corridor, cellar, garden, bicycle storage |
Guests and delivery services | Use of the lift, parcel acceptance |
Smoking | Inside the building and on the balcony |
Pets | Keeping conditions, common areas |
The house rules are usually also posted in the stairwell, and the Hauswart hands them over in person when you move in for the first time — if not, ask for them proactively.
What types of house rules exist?
Private landlords may draft their own house rules, while larger property management companies (e.g. Wincasa, Livit, Implenia) use standardised regulations at cantonal level. In social housing (Gemeindewohnung), the rules are typically more detailed and monitored more strictly.
How does the laundry room (Waschküche) work?
In most Swiss apartment buildings, it is not possible to install an individual washing machine in the flat — either because of lack of space or because the house rules prohibit it. Instead, a shared laundry room (Waschküche) is provided, and its use is governed by a schedule (Waschplan).
What should you know about the laundry schedule?
The schedule is usually organised on a weekly or biweekly cycle, and each tenant is assigned a fixed time slot (e.g. Tuesday 8:00–12:00).
The time slot cannot be swapped arbitrarily — if you want to exchange it, you must arrange this with the neighbour in writing or through the Hauswart.
After using the laundry room, the tenant is obliged to leave it clean: clean the filter, wipe down the machine, and mop the floor.
Unused time slots cannot be “carried over” — if someone misses their own slot, it is lost.
What counts as acceptable behaviour?
Laundry-room etiquette is not a written rule, but in most house rules it appears as an implicit expectation:
Do not start a wash during someone else’s time slot — this is the source of the most common conflicts.
Please remove the washed laundry from the machine and the dryer by the end of the time slot.
The shared drying rack (Wäscheständer) and the drying room (Trocknungsraum) must also be used according to the schedule.
What are the rules for quiet hours (Ruhezeiten)?
In Switzerland, quiet hours are not governed by a single federal rule — they are regulated at cantonal and municipal level, and house rules may also differ. Even so, the following periods are generally accepted in most apartment buildings:
Period | Typical quiet hours |
|---|---|
Night-time quiet | 22:00–07:00 (in many places from 06:00) |
Midday quiet | 12:00–13:00 or 13:30 (not everywhere) |
Sundays and public holidays | Increased quiet throughout the day |
What does quiet hours mean in practice?
Quiet hours do not mean complete silence — normal household noises (footsteps, conversation, cooking) are permitted. What should be avoided:
Drilling, hammering, moving furniture.
Loud music or television that can be heard in neighbours’ apartments.
Starting the washing machine or dishwasher during quiet hours (explicitly prohibited in many house rules).
Loud conversations in the stairwell.
What about Sundays?
On Sundays and public holidays, Swiss tradition places even greater emphasis on quiet. In many cantons and cities, Sunday work (e.g. drilling, painting) should also be avoided inside the apartment — although federal law does not expressly prohibit this, house rules and neighbourhood norms are expected to reflect it.
How are the costs of shared areas and services allocated?
Under Swiss tenancy law, the maintenance costs of shared areas are usually included as part of Nebenkosten (ancillary costs). These may be charged as flat-rate amounts (Nebenkostenpauschale) or itemised statements (Nebenkostenabrechnung).
What does Nebenkosten usually include?
Heating and hot water (Heizung und Warmwasser)
Stairwell cleaning (Treppenhausreinigung)
Garden maintenance (Gartenpflege)
Lift maintenance (Liftunterhalt)
Electricity for the laundry room (Waschküchenstrom)
Hauswart fee (where applicable)
The amount of Nebenkosten varies from lease to lease and is reconciled once a year against the actual costs. If the actual costs were higher than the flat rate, the tenant pays the difference back — and vice versa.
What should you do if the Nebenkosten statement is disputed?
The rights of tenants in Switzerland are protected by the Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband (MV) — the tenants’ association. If the statement does not appear justified, the tenant may request an itemised breakdown and, in the event of a dispute, contact the cantonal tenancy conciliation body (Schlichtungsbehörde).
How should neighbourhood conflicts be handled?
Preventing conflicts is always easier than dealing with them. The first step: introduce yourself to your neighbours as soon as possible after moving in — this is an expected gesture in Switzerland and lays the foundation for direct communication.
What is the recommended sequence of steps if a problem does arise?
1. Direct, courteous communication If a neighbour is making noise, leaving the laundry room untidy, or otherwise breaking the rules, the first step is a personal, polite approach. This can also be done in writing — a short, neutral note on the door is an accepted method.
2. Involving the Hauswart If direct communication does not lead to results, the Hauswart (building caretaker) is the first formal step. Their role is to maintain order in the building, and they are authorised to issue a warning.
3. Notifying the landlord In the event of repeated or serious breaches of the rules, the landlord must be notified in writing. The landlord may send a formal warning (Abmahnung) to the party in breach.
4. Schlichtungsbehörde — cantonal conciliation authority If a dispute with the landlord or a neighbour escalates into a legal matter, the mandatory first step is proceedings before the cantonal Schlichtungsbehörde (conciliation authority). This is free of charge and in many cases ends in an agreement without the need to go to court.
5. Mietgericht — tenancy court If the conciliation procedure does not lead to a result, the Mietgericht (tenancy court) decides. This may already require legal representation.
What if someone complains about you?
If you receive a warning, ask for it in writing as well and keep it. You have the right to know the content of the complaint and to respond to it in writing. A single warning on its own is not enough for termination — under Swiss tenancy law (OR 257f.), termination generally requires repeated written warnings, and the tenant must be given the opportunity to correct their behaviour.
Which documents are worth receiving and keeping?
From the moment you move in, it is worth keeping all important documents — in a dispute, they serve as evidence.
At move-in:
[ ] Tenancy agreement (Mietvertrag) — signed copy
[ ] House rules (Hausordnung) — signed copy
[ ] Handover report (Übergabeprotokoll) — defects documented
[ ] Laundry schedule (Waschplan) — current copy
[ ] Name and contact details of the Hauswart
[ ] Name and contact details of the landlord / property manager
Ongoing:
[ ] All written communication with the landlord and the Hauswart (email, letter)
[ ] Nebenkosten statements every year
[ ] Warnings (Abmahnung) — if you received one, and your response to it
Swiss neighbourhood culture — from a Hungarian perspective
For Hungarians, one of the biggest adjustment challenges is not learning the rules, but the communication style. In Switzerland, neighbours generally do not seek personal closeness — a greeting, a few words in the stairwell, and respect for the rules are enough to form a good neighbourly relationship.
A few concrete differences to keep in mind:
The value placed on silence is different. What would count as normal household noise in Hungary (for example, a loud television after 10 p.m. or DIY work at the weekend) may be grounds for a complaint in Switzerland.
Written communication is the default. If something is important, it should also be recorded in writing — verbal agreements offer less protection.
Shared spaces are shared, not communal. The laundry room, cellar and garden are not “everyone’s space” — everyone has their own schedule and responsibilities.
Conflict is not personal. If someone files a complaint, it is usually not hostility — but a way of enforcing the rules. It is worth treating it that way, rather than as a personal insult.
Good neighbourly relations in Switzerland do not mean an intense relationship, but a predictable, mutually respectful way of living together. This framework — although it may seem formal at first — makes everyday life easier in the long run.
Sources
Swiss Code of Obligations (Obligationenrecht / OR), especially Articles 257–274 — rules governing tenancy relationships: https://www.fedlex.admin.ch
Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband (MV) — Swiss tenants' association: https://www.mieterverband.ch
Federal Statistical Office (BFS) — Federal Statistical Office: https://www.bfs.admin.ch
In Brief
In Switzerland, the house rules and the use of the laundry room are not recommendations, but a legally binding set of rules as part of the tenancy agreement. Violating quiet hours, the laundry schedule or the rules for shared spaces can lead to complaints, repeated warnings and, in the end, even termination of the lease.
Key Takeaways
- When you move in, you should ask for and keep the Hausordnung that forms part of the tenancy agreement.
- The laundry room must be used according to the Waschplan; time slots cannot be swapped arbitrarily, and the room must be left clean.
- During quiet hours, drilling, loud music, moving furniture and, in many buildings, using the washing machine should also be avoided.
- On Sundays and public holidays, Swiss apartment buildings expect heightened quiet, even if this is not a uniform federal rule everywhere.
- If a complaint arises, the first step is to discuss it directly and politely; if that is not enough, the Hauswart and then the landlord should be involved.
- Keep Nebenkosten statements and all written warnings, as they can serve as evidence in a dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory to follow the Swiss house rules if they are only an appendix to the tenancy agreement?
Yes. According to the article, the Hausordnung is accepted as part of the tenancy agreement, so it is legally binding. It should be treated not as a recommendation, but as part of the tenancy relationship.
What do quiet hours mean in Swiss apartment buildings?
Quiet hours generally cover the night-time hours, often from 22:00 to 07:00, and some buildings also have midday quiet hours. During these times, drilling, loud music, moving furniture and, in many places, using the washing machine should be avoided.
Can the laundry room be used outside your own assigned time slot?
No. According to the article, use of the laundry room is tied to a schedule, and you may not start washing during someone else’s time slot. If a swap is necessary, it should be arranged with the neighbour in writing or through the Hauswart.
What happens if someone does not follow the house rules or neighbours complain?
Usually the first step is a warning or direct discussion, followed by involving the Hauswart and the landlord. According to the article, under Swiss contract law, repeated or serious breaches can even lead to termination of the lease.
What should you do if a Nebenkosten statement seems questionable?
The tenant can request an itemised statement and, in case of a dispute, contact the cantonal Schlichtungsbehörde. According to the article, tenants’ rights are also supported by the Mieterinnen- und Mieterverband.
What is the correct first step in a neighbour dispute in Switzerland?
According to the article, the first step is direct, polite communication, either in person or in a short written message. If that does not solve the issue, the next step is to involve the Hauswart.
Which documents should you keep after moving in?
It is worth keeping the tenancy agreement, the house rules, the move-in inspection report, the laundry schedule, and the contact details of the Hauswart and the landlord. Later, all written communication, Nebenkosten statements and warnings should also be kept.
This guide is available after registration
During the launch period, the full knowledge base is available with free registration.
CHF 0 during launch
- All guides and checklists
- Downloadable PDF templates
- Sample documents
- Early access to new content
Preview - the guide continues after login
Related guides
- How does house rules and neighbourly life work in Switzerland?
- 🔒 How can conflicts with house rules and neighbors be avoided?