Inquisition: Swiftness Required for Securing Rental Homes in Switzerland - Timeliness Matters in Swiss Real Estate Market
In the vibrant rental market of Switzerland, properties are quickly snapped up, with the average vacancy period in several cities hovering around two to three weeks. A joint analysis by the Swiss Association of Real Estate Professionals (SVIT), Homeowners Association, the newhome platform, and the Swiss Real Estate Institute has revealed these insights.
Chur, the capital of Graubünden, boasts the shortest average vacancy duration of approximately 10 days. Winterthur follows closely with an average of 13 days, while Geneva and Lucerne have slightly longer times, averaging 14 to 15 days. Zurich sees average vacancies around 18 days, despite its highly competitive market.
The tight rental market in Switzerland is further underscored by the low vacancy rates. Zurich, for instance, has only about 7 vacant apartments per 10,000 units, one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country. Lausanne and Basel also exhibit similarly low vacancy rates, under 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively. Nationwide, the overall vacancy rate in Switzerland was about 1.08% in mid-2024, having steadily declined over recent years.
These statistics indicate a robust demand environment across the country, with rental properties often being absorbed within two to three weeks in most urban centers. Larger cities and economically active regions show especially short vacancies, reflecting tight markets with high absorption rates.
However, the analysis does not address why there is a surplus of apartments in certain regions of Switzerland. Furthermore, it does not specify which canton or city has the shortest vacancy period for rentals other than Chur in Graubünden.
Intriguingly, when an apartment becomes available in Zurich, a long queue forms outside the building for public viewing. Conversely, apartments are advertised for rent longest in Neuchâtel and Jura, with vacant dwellings remaining on the market for 38 and 49 days, respectively.
This analysis underscores the dynamic and competitive nature of the Swiss rental market, where demand often outstrips supply, particularly in urban centers. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends develop in the future.
Finance professionals interested in investing in the Swiss real-estate market might find it profitable to target housing-market sectors with relatively long vacancy periods like Neuchâtel and Jura, as they have vacant apartments on the market for 38 and 49 days respectively, compared to urban centers where properties are often snapped up within two to three weeks. On the other hand, those seeking steady returns could consider investing in high-demand areas with shorter vacancy durations, such as Chur, Winterthur, Geneva, Lucerne, and Zurich, which all have average vacancy periods hovering around 10 to 18 days.
