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Electricity & gas · Switzerland
Checked 2026-09-30

🔑 I rent my home in Switzerland: who pays for energy and how do I check the service charges?

The short answer

As a tenant you either have your own energy contract or you pay energy through the rent or service charges. The rules on shared meters and yearly statements protect you.

📜 The rules in Switzerland

Energy costs for tenants

Your landlord may only charge the service charges (Nebenkosten) listed in the rental contract, usually as monthly advance payments with a yearly statement of actual costs. On request, the landlord must let you see the receipts.

  • Before going to court, a tenancy dispute goes to the conciliation authority, made up of an independent chair and equal tenant and landlord representatives. (bwo.admin.ch)
  • If your building runs a solar self-consumption group (ZEV), disputes with the owner over the solar power price go to the civil courts; the tenancy conciliation authorities can be called on. (elcom.admin.ch)
Schlichtungsbehörden in MietsachenCantonal conciliation authorities for tenancy disputes; the Federal Office for Housing lists their addresses.🔗 bwo.admin.ch
Official source: bwo.admin.ch · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. Find out how you payYour own contract with a supplier, or energy through the landlord? Your tenancy agreement says so.
  2. Ask for the statementIf the landlord charges energy or heating, ask for the yearly statement and how your share is worked out.
  3. Check the rules for SwitzerlandSee below what landlords must do on meters, cost splitting and statements.
  4. Dispute in writingWrite to the landlord with your questions. If there is no solution, go to the body named below.

📇 Who to contact

Schlichtungsbehörden in MietsachenCantonal conciliation authorities for tenancy disputes; the Federal Office for Housing lists their addresses.🔗 www.bwo.admin.ch/dam/de/sd-web/tzHM7tFgxwhW/20260708_Schlichtungsbeh%C3%B6rden.pdf
Stiftung für Konsumentenschutz (SKS)Independent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.konsumentenschutz.ch

❓ Questions

Can I choose my own supplier as a tenant?

If you have your own meter and contract, usually yes. If energy is in the rent, the landlord chooses.

How is heating split between flats?

Often by individual meters or heat cost allocators plus a fixed share. The rules for Switzerland are on this page.

Can the landlord cut my energy?

A landlord may not simply cut your supply. Contact the body named on this page.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🌡️District heating, oil and LPG→📦Moving house→🧾Wrong or high bill→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→

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