Signing Your Mietvertrag: How to Negotiate the Kaution in German
How to negotiate the Kaution when signing a Swiss rental contract — including the polite phrases that work and the bank account every tenant should know about.
If you've ever moved in Switzerland, you've felt the punch in the gut. The Kaution — your rental deposit — is usually three months' rent. For a 1'500 CHF flat, that's 4'500 CHF you need to find on top of the first month's rent and moving costs.
Many newcomers don't know this is sometimes negotiable. It is. The trick is asking politely in the right German.
Key phrases to know
- Ich hätte eine Frage zur Kaution. – I have a question about the deposit.
- Wie hoch ist die Kaution? – How high is the deposit?
- Könnte ich die Kaution in Raten zahlen? – Could I pay the deposit in instalments?
- Das ist viel auf einmal. – That's a lot at once.
- Wann muss ich die Kaution überweisen? – When do I have to transfer the deposit?
- Bekomme ich eine Quittung? – Will I get a receipt?
- Wie lang ist die Mindestmietdauer? – How long is the minimum rental period?
- Wann kann ich den Vertrag unterschreiben? – When can I sign the contract?
- Ich brauche etwas Zeit zum Überlegen. – I need some time to think about it.
- Vielen Dank für das Entgegenkommen. – Thank you for being accommodating.