The Federal Council has enacted amendments to tenancy law with effect from October 1, 2025. For landlords and property managers, the new mandatory information on the official initial rent form is particularly relevant. There are also simplifications regarding signatures and changes to graduated rents.
1) What’s new on the initial rent form (form requirement cantons)
If the form requirement applies in your canton/area, the official form for notifying the initial rent must now also include the following:
- the most recent reference interest rate on which the previous rent was based, and
- the most recent inflation rate on which the previous rent was based.
Important: Old forms are no longer valid as of October 1, 2025. Even forms designed in-house and approved by the canton must be updated and reapproved. Otherwise, the initial rent may be contested and deemed invalid due to formal defects.
2) Signature on forms for rent increases and unilateral contract amendments
A mechanically reproduced signature (e.g., facsimile/scan) is now sufficient on the canton-prescribed form. An original handwritten signature is no longer mandatory. Legal basis: Art. 269d para. 4 OR (new).
3) Graduated rents: no longer an official form Graduated rents: no longer an official form
In the case of graduated rents, an official form is no longer required to notify the individual graduated rates; written form is sufficient. The VMWG has been amended accordingly (new Art. 19a VMWG). However, written notification is still mandatory, even if the graduated rent has been contractually agreed.
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Practical checklist for landlords and property managers
1. Update forms
From now on, only use the new initial rent forms (or revised, reapproved proprietary forms).
2. Add information on the previous rent
3. Check graduated rents
For existing/new graduated rental agreements: written notification of the graduated rates is sufficient; no official form is required (deadlines/reasons must still be observed).
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Do you have properties in several cantons? We will check for you on a canton-specific basis whether the form requirement applies and which specific form must be used since October 1, 2025—including updating your templates and checking the graduated rent clauses.
Written in October 2025 | Nicolas Camara