House rules
What you need to know
Rental properties are home to multiple people with differing interests, daily routines and concepts of tidiness. This can be an enriching experience but it can also pose a challenge from time to time. This is where the house rules come in. While they’re set by the landlord and can differ slightly from property to property, one thing remains the same – the house rules apply to all the tenants in a building, setting out what people can and cannot do.
Find out more about the standard rules here:
Am I allowed to smoke in the lift?
In many properties, smoking in the stairwells or in the lift/common areas is prohibited. This also goes for e-cigarettes, shisha pipes and cannabis. And some apartments are only let to non-smokers as smoke and nicotine can end up forming a yellow film on walls, ceilings, doors and windows. Certain people don’t like the smell of smoke, either, or worry that they might breathe in harmful substances, while there are also fire protection regulations that need to be met.
Can I store my pram in the stairwell?
It’s important not to store personal items in the entrance hall or stairwell. This isn’t just about keeping things clean and tidy, it’s also a matter of safety. The entire stairwell is an escape route and needs to be kept clear and unobstructed at all times. The property manager and tenants are obliged to fulfil their fire safety obligations and prevent accidents. Remember, there won’t be time to move things out of the escape route once a fire is underway. If there’s not enough space for bikes or prams in the general areas or you’re not sure where you can keep these items, ask us or your property manager.
Can I store a personal rubbish bag in the laundry room temporarily?
The laundry room, drying room, stairwell and related areas are available to all tenants. It’s important that these shared-use areas are kept clean. A rubbish bag can soon start to smell and attract vermin. If you can smell it, other people can probably smell it, too. So, consider your neighbours; once your rubbish bag is full, put it straight into the appropriate bin and don’t keep it in communal areas.
Can I stash old furniture under the stairs?
Disposing of bulky rubbish and hazardous waste is something you need to handle yourself. Take any old furniture and broken electronics to the tip so they can be disposed of appropriately. You can also purchase collection stickers from your municipality or ask them for information about the applicable waste-disposal regulations. If the property manager needs to remove bulky waste that’s been left around a property, this incurs additional costs, which can be passed onto tenants in their ancillary charges.
Can I kick off the weekend with a party?
Generally, designated quiet times apply from 10 pm to 7 am and from midday to 1 pm at lunchtime, although this may differ from canton to canton. During this period, keep TVs at a low volume and avoid engaging in loud activities, arguments or shouting. Keep noise to a minimum on Sundays and public holidays as well. If you want to hold a party, the best idea is to let your neighbours know and be respectful if they invoke the applicable quiet times. In the worst-case scenario, a neighbour might not be so understanding and may enforce their right to designated quiet times by calling the police.
Can I quickly squeeze in a load of laundry?
Many properties have separate rules about who can use the laundry room at what time. This is to ensure that all tenants can use the facilities under fair conditions. But we’ve all had to wash something quickly when it wasn’t our turn. In this instance, it’s more respectful to ask the person in question than simply deciding that it’s OK to squeeze a load in.
The house rules are usually an integral part of your tenancy agreement, so when you sign the agreement, you’re also agreeing to abide by the rules. If you’re not sure about a rule, get in touch with your property manager.
If you think one of your neighbours isn’t sticking to the rules, write them a note and keep an open mind for the time being. Try to have an objective chat with your neighbour, calmly explaining what you’ve noticed and how it’s impacting your quality of life. If your discussion doesn’t change things, you can write down what you’ve observed in a written complaint addressed to the property manager. People who repeatedly breach the house rules will receive a warning from the property management.
By the way, you can find more questions and answers in our FAQs.