Is your villa located on a plot within an agricultural zone? In some cases, selling such land may not be as straightforward as you might think.
Parcels located in agricultural zones are subject to the Federal Law on Rural Land Rights (LDFR). One of its main objectives is to prevent inflated prices on agricultural land and to ensure that farmers have reasonable access to farmland.
As such, and in summary, the sale price of agricultural land is capped at CHF 8 per square meter, to which the value of any existing buildings may be added. These plots can generally only be acquired by a farmer for personal use — unless no eligible buyer comes forward after the property is advertised in the Feuille d’Avis Officielle (FAO) and an agricultural trade journal.
Plots under 2,500 m² or those that have been exempted from the LDFR are generally not subject to these restrictions. However, exempting a parcel can be a complex and uncertain process. To ensure optimal marketability, these legal matters should ideally be addressed before putting your property up for sale — with the support of qualified experts.
Excerpt from our guide: Selling Your Home in 42 Questions