Does the notice have to go by registered mail?
No, the law does not require registered mail. It requires the form the canton has approved, with your handwritten signature on the original. Without the form or the signature, the notice is void.
Registered mail is still the usual way, because it proves receipt. Handing it over against a signed receipt works the same. To see when a letter the tenant does not collect counts, read uncollected Swiss registered letters.
Which deadlines apply?
| Notice period | At least three months, to a local or contractual termination date |
|---|---|
| Receipt | Before the notice period starts. A registered letter generally counts as received from the first day it can be collected at the post office |
| Tenant's challenge | Within 30 days of receipt, at the conciliation authority |
How to serve the notice
- Get the formFrom your canton's conciliation authority; it differs by canton.
- Fill it in and print itFor a family home, one form per person.
- Sign it by handEach copy, as an original.
- Post it at the counterAs registered mail, and keep the receipt with a copy.
What to watch
- If the tenant lives with a spouse or registered partner, send each their own form in their own envelope. This also applies to a payment deadline that threatens termination.
- Give reasons for the notice if the tenant asks.
- Do not use a printed or scanned signature. Only the original signed by hand is valid.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Swiss landlord have to give notice by registered mail?
No. The law requires the canton's official form, signed by hand. Registered mail is the usual proof of receipt.
Is a scanned or printed signature enough?
No. The written form needs a handwritten signature on the original the tenant receives.
Where do I get the official form?
From the conciliation authority of your canton. The form differs by canton.
What about a family home?
The notice goes separately to the tenant and to the spouse or registered partner. Otherwise it is void.
When does an uncollected registered letter count as received?
For a lease termination, generally from the first day it can be collected at the post office.
Does registered mail prove the contents?
No. It records posting and delivery. Keep a copy of the signed form.