Renting out a home looks simple: a listing, a tenant, a rent. In reality, every step engages your responsibility as an owner and the profitability of your property. A rent set wrong, a poorly chosen tenant or a sloppy inventory can cost you dearly for years. Here is how to rent with peace of mind in the canton of Vaud, and what professional property management brings.
Prepare the property before renting it out
A move-in-ready home rents faster and for more. Before you publish a single listing, take care of small repairs (faucets, seals, touching up marked spots of paint), arrange a professional cleaning and check that everything works. The first viewing is won in the first ten seconds.
Bright photos and an honest listing attract the right profiles and discourage pointless viewings. Clearly state the floor area, the floor level, the charges and the availability date.
- Small repairs and paint touch-ups
- Professional cleaning of the home
- Quality photos and a precise listing
- Up-to-date charges and statements
- Clear move-in date and conditions
Set the right rent
Rent is compared to the local market, neighborhood by neighborhood, at equivalent surface and condition. Aim for the fair price: an over-ambitious rent leaves the property vacant, and a single month of vacancy quickly wipes out the gain you hoped for over the year.
In the canton of Vaud, in the districts affected by the housing shortage, the initial rent must be notified to the new tenant by means of the official form, which states the previous rent. It is best to know about it before setting your price.
Always distinguish the net rent from the charges (heating, hot water, common costs), which are billed separately and reconciled once a year.
The right reflex: a rent aligned with the market finds a good tenant within a few days. Overpricing means multiplying viewings that lead nowhere and risking a challenge to the initial rent.
A month of vacancy often costs more than a rent set right: better a good tenant quickly than an over-ambitious rent for a long time.
Select the right tenant
A rigorous selection avoids the vast majority of problems. Ask for a complete file and check that income and rent are consistent: as a rule of thumb, the rent should not exceed one third of income.
- ID document and residence permit if needed
- Last three pay slips or proof of income
- Recent extract from the debt-collection register
- Proof of personal liability insurance
- Income / rent consistency (about one third)
Screening is done on objective, financial criteria only: the law prohibits any discrimination. A solid file prevails over a good impression.
Lease, inventory and deposit
The lease must comply with Swiss law and specify the rent, charges, term and termination conditions. At move-in, an inventory signed by both parties protects everyone: it is the reference at move-out.
The rental deposit
You may require a rental deposit, capped at three months of net rent. It is placed in a blocked account in the tenant's name: it does not belong to you, but it secures against possible damage or unpaid rent.
Take care with both the move-in and the move-out inventory: dated photos, precise notes. It is the document that avoids disputes over the return of the deposit.
Day-to-day management
Once let, the property requires regular follow-up: collecting rent and sending reminders, the annual reconciliation of charges, maintenance and small repairs, answering tenants. Minor upkeep is the tenant's responsibility; major repairs remain the owner's.
Termination and any disputes follow strict deadlines and formalities. A procedural mistake can void a notice: this is often where professional support makes the difference.
Manage it yourself or delegate?
Managing a property takes time, requires up-to-date legal knowledge and a bit of emotional distance with tenants. Entrusting the management means delegating rent collection, inventories, maintenance and disputes, while keeping control of the important decisions.
Discover our property management service: a single point of contact, clear accounts and peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set the rent for a property to let?
By comparing it to the local market, at equivalent surface and condition, within the legal framework. In the canton of Vaud, and in districts facing a housing shortage, the initial rent is notified via the official form, which states the previous rent.
What is the maximum amount of the rental deposit?
Three months of net rent at most, placed in a blocked account in the tenant's name.
Can I refuse a tenant?
Yes, on objective, financial criteria (solvency, complete file). Any discrimination, however, is prohibited.
Which repairs are the tenant's responsibility?
Minor day-to-day upkeep. Major repairs and the renewal of installations remain the owner's responsibility.
What is the notice period to terminate a lease?
It depends on the type of lease and the agreed deadlines, with strict formalities to respect. A procedural mistake can invalidate the notice.
Can I increase the rent?
Yes, within the conditions and deadlines set by law, generally at a deadline and by means of the official form, justifying the increase.
Which insurance policies are needed?
The tenant must in principle hold personal liability insurance. The owner keeps the building insurance.
Is a move-in inventory required?
Yes, signed by both parties and ideally documented with dated photos. It serves as the reference for move-out and the return of the deposit.
Why entrust the management to Homewell?
To delegate rent collection, inventories, maintenance and disputes to a single point of contact, with clear accounts and respect for legal deadlines. See our property management service.