FAQ & Useful Documents

The handover of the keys occurs at the moment of the transfer of ownership. The transfer of ownership can take place at the time of signing in the case of a direct sale, or at a later date in the case of a deferred sale.

Excerpt from our guide: Selling Your Home in 42 Questions

Link to this FAQ: https://www.grange.ch/en/questions/buyer/#when-does-the-handover-of-the-keys-take-place-when-selling-a-property

Before clearing out your property, consider asking the buyer if they’re interested in keeping certain pieces of furniture or accessories. If these items are not included in the sale price, you’ll need to agree on a separate price.

Next, consider donating to charitable organizations such as Emmaüs, La Renfile, or La Manivelle. Most of them will come to your home to collect donated furniture or household items.

Finally, for any remaining items that no one wants, arrange for their removal through a moving company that complies with local recycling and waste disposal guidelines.

Useful contacts:

• Emmaüs Genève – +41 22 301 57 57 – emmaus-ge.ch

• La Renfile (CSP Genève) – +41 22 807 07 00 – csp.ch

• La Manivelle – +41 77 525 70 68 – manivelle.ch

Excerpt from our guide: Selling Your Home in 42 Questions

Link to this FAQ: https://www.grange.ch/en/questions/buyer/#im-moving-and-dont-want-to-keep-all-my-furniture-what-should-i-do

Building insurance:

A house/villa must always be covered. For this reason, the rights and obligations from the building insurance contract automatically transfer to the buyer. The buyer may reject the transfer in writing within 30 days of the ownership change. The insurance company can also terminate the contract within 14 days of learning the new owner’s identity. If terminated, the contract ends at the earliest 30 days later.
In the case of an apartment, this doesn’t apply, as the building is insured as a whole.

Warranties:

If you’ve carried out construction work on your property, you likely received warranties from the trades involved. If these warranties are still valid (typically for 5 years), all transferable warranty rights are passed on to the buyer. The buyer may ask you to provide all signed contracts to understand the details of the warranties. Non-transferable rights remain with you as the seller, but you agree to enforce them on behalf of the buyer and at their sole expense.

Water, gas, and electricity:

As the departing occupant, you must inform the Services Industriels de Genève (SIG) of your move and report the meter readings. The buyer will also notify SIG upon taking possession. You will only be billed for the period during which you owned and occupied the property. The buyer will be responsible for all utility contracts thereafter.

Phone, TV, internet, and fiber:

These services are usually tied to a personal subscription (e.g., Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt). You simply notify your provider of your change of address, and the subscription follows you to your new home. The buyer will have to sign up for a new subscription with the provider of their choice.

Household insurance:

This doesn’t concern the buyer. However, you must inform your insurer of your change of address so coverage continues at your new residence. If you fail to do so, your belongings may not be covered. The buyer should also ensure their household insurance is updated.

Maintenance contracts:

In most property sales, maintenance contracts are not transferred. The property must be handed over free of any contractual obligations. The seller is responsible for cancelling them at their own expense. However, the parties can agree to transfer such contracts with the involved company’s consent.

Heating:

If you own a house with a boiler or heating system, you may have a maintenance contract. Typically, this contract is not transferred in the sale deed. However, it’s good practice to coordinate with the buyer and the maintenance company if a transfer is desired.

Resident registration:

Don’t forget to report your change of address to the Residents’ Registry.

• If you’re Swiss, notify your new commune.

• If you’re a foreign national, report to the Cantonal Office of Population and Migration (OCPM).
  The buyer will do the same.

Post office:

Notify the post office of your change of address to ensure mail forwarding to your new home. The Swiss Post can also notify your bank and insurer for you. The buyer should do the same on their side.

Alarm system:

If the property has an alarm system, it’s typically included in the sale. However, the contract with the security company is personal. Make sure to cancel or arrange to transfer the contract to the buyer if they want it. It is advisable to maintain surveillance especially if the home will be vacant between your departure and the buyer’s move-in, to prevent issues like squatting.

Excerpt from our guide: Selling Your Home in 42 Questions

Link to this FAQ: https://www.grange.ch/en/questions/buyer/#real-estate-sale-should-you-transfer-insurance-gas-electricity-contracts-etc

The sales commission of the broker is obviously paid by the party who hires them. In most cases, it is the seller who mandates a broker to sell their property; therefore, the sales commission will be the seller’s responsibility. Generally, these fees are paid directly by the notary handling the sale.

Excerpt from our guide: Selling Your Home in 42 Questions

Link to this FAQ: https://www.grange.ch/en/questions/buyer/#who-pays-the-sales-commission

The acquisition costs for a property are the responsibility of the buyer. In Geneva, these mainly consist of:

› A tax called the registration duty, amounting to 3% (excluding VAT) of the purchase price of the property;

› Fees for registration in the Land Register at 0.21% of the purchase price, capped at CHF 40,000;

› The notary’s decreasing fees calculated based on the purchase price;

› Various other fees, VAT, and disbursements;

Altogether, this amounts to approximately 4% of the property transaction value, decreasing proportionally with higher purchase prices.

The official website of the Geneva Notaries allows you to estimate the exact fees related to the acquisition of a property.

It should be noted that if the sale price is below a certain threshold, the buyer may benefit from CASATAX, which reduces the registration duties and the fees for creating the mortgage certificate. This threshold is reviewed annually and for 2024 is set at CHF 1,359,903. Additional conditions apply: the buyer must be an individual (natural person) and make the purchased property their primary residence. They must also commit to living in it for at least three years within two years following the signing of the sales contract

Excerpt from our guide: Selling Your Home in 42 Questions

Link to this FAQ: https://www.grange.ch/en/questions/buyer/#what-are-the-purchase-fees-who-pays-them

Yes, but under certain conditions. The acquisition of real estate in Switzerland by foreign individuals is regulated by the Federal Law on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (LFAIE), more commonly known as the “Lex Koller.” This law aims to limit real estate speculation and ensure housing availability for local residents. Each canton has its own specific application of the law.

In short, in Geneva:

> EU or EFTA citizens residing in Switzerland with a B or C permit, or a legitimation card, may acquire residential property without restrictions;

> Non-European nationals with a C permit or a legitimation card leading to a C permit may also buy without restrictions;

> Those with a B permit are limited to purchasing a primary residence;

> Cross-border workers (with a G permit) may purchase a secondary residence as long as they return to their main residence at least once a week;

> Foreigners not yet living in Switzerland but planning to move can purchase a future primary residence by obtaining authorization from the Department of Institutions and Digital Affairs (DIN).

The notary handling the sale will be responsible for requesting the necessary authorizations for a foreign buyer. It is therefore essential to understand the residential status of any potential buyer before finalizing negotiations.

Excerpt from our guide: Selling Your Home in 42 Questions

Link to this FAQ: https://www.grange.ch/en/questions/buyer/#can-i-sell-my-property-to-a-foreign-buyer

Have you sold — or are about to sell — your property and are struggling to find your next home? Don’t worry — GRANGE Properties, in synergy with our property management team, will assist you free of charge in your search, whether you’re looking to rent or to buy.

Excerpt from our guide: Selling Your Home in 42 Questions

Link to this FAQ: https://www.grange.ch/en/questions/buyer/#how-can-i-find-a-new-home-after-selling-my-property