Switzerland is a popular holiday destination that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Especially holiday flats in the mountains are sought-after options for international and national guests who travel to the Alps for hiking or snow sports. However, there is an increasing shortage of holiday homes in Switzerland as various cantons introduce stricter measures to limit second homes. Effective immediately, Ticino has introduced the toughest rules in Switzerland for booking portals like Airbnb. Private rentals in Ticino are now only allowed for 90 days.  

Stricter measures for second home ownership in Switzerland  

Second homeowners in tourist regions in Switzerland who rent out their homes will have to face stricter regulations (NZZ, 2023). Ticino has introduced stricter regulations for booking systems like Airbnb with immediate effect. Private property owners are now only allowed to rent out their holiday flat or house in Ticino for a maximum of 90 days a year. Around a quarter of all overnight stays were rented out via private structures in 2021 - and the market is growing. But there are probably also many second-home owners who help finance their property in this way. Similar measures are planned in other popular tourist destinations. This applies in particular to municipalities such as Ascona, Muralto and Orselina, where the permissible quota of second homes has already been exceeded. Anyone wishing to rent out their property for a more extended period, therefore, has to register as a business, but this route would greatly reduce the property's value estate market. 

Amidst the sudden introduction of the stricter regulations, there are many ambiguities according to NZZ. Some municipalities have already taken measures to ensure compliance, but others have yet to follow. Nevertheless, it is obvious that holiday home landlords are subject to closer scrutiny. The main goal of the cantons is to ensure that booking platforms such as Airbnb, Interhome or e-Domizil also pay tourist taxes to the government. However, the newly discovered regulations have also led to unexpected consequences for private individuals. In Lucerne, too, the popular initiative "Protect living space - regulate Airbnb" was adopted by a clear majority last March. Geneva also has a so-called Airbnb regulation. There, flats may also be rented out for a maximum of 90 days. In the city of Bern, the voters already voted in favour of a corresponding partial revision of the city's building code in the spring with a yes vote of 81.2 per cent. The provisions have not yet been implemented in either Bern or Zurich.  

Rental housing in Switzerland is likely to become scarcer due to stricter regulations, but demand is increasing because of the rise in tourists and location-independent work. We argue why co-ownership can be the solution to this dilemma and what the advantages of it are over traditional home ownership. 

The Future of Second Homes: Co-Ownership  

The future of second homes in Switzerland lies in the innovative concept of real estate co-ownership. By sharing holiday homes, limited resources can be used more efficiently, while at the same time enabling cost savings and true second home ownership. 

• Efficient use of resources and cost savings.  

Sharing properties in the co-ownership model enables more efficient use of limited resources in the holiday home market. The beyoul co-ownership model offers two to eight parties the opportunity to own a holiday home. This leads to significant cost savings in the purchase and maintenance of the property. This makes second homes affordable for more people.  

• Investment and real ownership  

Unlike other models such as time-sharing, co-ownership allows for actual ownership of the shares purchased. This not only ensures access to a property, but also an investment in this asset class. Co-owners can dispose of the property according to their needs. In addition, they can conveniently reserve stays via an app. 

• Intelligent organisation and convenience  

A credit system in conjunction with a smart algorithm ensures a fair distribution of availability among the co-owners. This allows the co-owners to plan their stays flexibly and adapt them to their individual needs. Before each stay, the property is professionally cleaned and any wear and tear is repaired. This ensures a high level of comfort during each visit.  

• The advantages of Co-Ownership as a second home  

Co-ownership as a second home offers a great solution for those who want to enjoy the benefits of owning their own holiday home without the high costs and obligations of sole ownership. By sharing property, second homes become more accessible and affordable. At the same time, co-ownership enables the building of a community of like-minded people who share similar interests and usage desires. 

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Sources:

NZZ, 2023. URL: https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/tourismus-tessin-ferienwohnungen-duerfen-nur-noch-waehrend-90-tagen-im-jahr-vermietet-werden-ld.1739335?reduced=true