Lexipedia

Rent deposit

A rent deposit secures the tenant’s obligations and, for Swiss residential leases, must be handled with special protective safeguards.

A rent deposit secures claims such as unpaid rent, ancillary costs or damage beyond normal wear. In Switzerland, deposits for residential leases are typically paid into a blocked account in the tenant’s name, and statutory limits apply to the amount for dwellings. The landlord cannot simply keep the deposit at move-out; release usually requires the tenant’s consent, a settlement, or an enforceable decision. Tenants should document the property’s condition at handover to avoid later disputes.