For the time being no relaxation in sight
Living space
Rising rents and a lack of living space: Before 2040 there will be no relaxation
Rents in many regions know only one direction: upwards. Living is becoming increasingly expensive. A new report locates easy relaxation. It will take years for the situation to normalize.
The freshly built living space cannot keep up with the demand. Here are the Sugus houses in Zurich.
The living space is scarce. In Switzerland, the empty apartment number has dropped to almost 1 percent. This value was still 1.7 percent in 2020. The closer the apartments become, the more expensive they become. The rental price index has increased by 38 percent since the turn of the millennium – it exceeds both inflation and wage growth « significantly », as the Federal Council said in a new report on Wednesday.
In short: the market no longer works – at least on the tenant on the tenant. The demand remains high due to persistent immigration, general population growth, but also through new forms of life and increasing prosperity. At the same time, the offer cools down: « The reasons for the decline in construction activity are diverse, and their respective influence cannot always be clearly stated, » says the report.
« A long way to relaxation »
Even the perspectives are not particularly optimistic about the Federal Council. « The building permits granted in recent years are expected to not be sufficient to cover the additional demand by 2040. » Until then, the authorities expect that the 10 million-inhabitant brand will be exceeded in Switzerland. There are easy signs of relaxation, but « it is still a long way to go to a balance in the housing market ».
Anyone who suspects that the Federal Council wants to build abbreviations in this way will remain disappointed according to the report. It is more of an inventory with increased awareness of the problem. The Federal Council does not want to be idle. At several round tables, Guy Parmelin's department, in cooperation with the cantons and other players, has already adopted an action plan last year.
It is about increasing the range of housing and creating more quality, inexpensive and needs -based living space. In contrast, as the report states, there are “no solutions” for the problem of the gap between offer rents and existing rents. This rental scissors mean that residents do not change their apartment, even if they no longer meet the needs, since they would pay more rent in a new place – despite a smaller apartment.
Create incentives for inexpensive living space
The vague outlined ideas include « incentives for the construction of inexpensive living space in the form of an exploitation bonus ». Rapid relaxation cannot be expected anyway. « Changes in the direction of a more balanced living space supply take time. »
The coming Monday promises short -term improvement for many tenants. Then the Federal Office for Housing announces the current reference interest rate. According to the latest estimates, this should fall. All rents based on the current sentence should then drop. By up to 2.9 percent.
