Rent adjustment — reference interest rate

What we are examining

The Swiss mortgage reference interest rate changes rarely — but when it does, the consequences for tenants and landlords across Switzerland are immediate. Tenants have a legal right to request a rent reduction; the formal procedure, however, is little known and rarely pursued in a structured way.

We are examining whether a tool can automate the request procedure for tenants — letter templates, deadlines, calculation of the reduction claim.

Hypothesis

Three assumptions we are currently testing:

— Tenants are willing to pay a small flat fee if it lets them assert a clear reduction claim — The reference rate change itself is the marketing lever; between movements, demand is low — A combination with tenants’ associations is more sensible than direct distribution to end customers

What we do not yet know

— Which tenants’ associations are open as distribution partners — Whether the pricing model is viable if the next reference rate movement only comes in 12 or 18 months — How deep the canton-specific logic must reach

Status

Validation under way. Regulatory tracking on the next SNB reference rate step is in place. Go/no-go decision in Q2 2026.