Who's right?
The twelve most common disputes in Swiss laundry rooms – answered briefly. What applies, and what you can do now.
There is no “laundry room law” in Switzerland. What counts is the tenancy agreement and the house rules (Hausordnung) (provided they form part of the agreement), every tenant's duty of consideration towards neighbours (Art. 257f para. 2 CO) and, for noise, the police regulations of your municipality (Polizeiverordnung). In condominium ownership (Stockwerkeigentum), the community's regulations and house rules apply instead of tenancy law (Art. 712g CC).
YesSomeone else's laundry is still in the machine during my slot. Can I take it out?
Yes – carefully. Your slot on the laundry schedule applies. Put the laundry in a clean basket or on a clean surface, never on the floor, and don't put it in the tumble dryer without asking. Many house rules expressly allow this once the other person's slot is over.
Legal basis: Laundry schedule and house rules; duty of consideration on both sides (Art. 257f para. 2 CO).
What to do? Take it out, lay it down neatly and leave a friendly note. If it keeps happening: keep a log.
YesSomeone is washing during my slot. Do I have priority?
Yes. Whoever is on the schedule has priority. Even so, don't stop a running programme – that leads to water damage and even more trouble. Ask when the machine will be free and request a replacement slot.
Legal basis: Laundry schedule and house rules; Art. 257f para. 2 CO.
What to do? Talk to them first. If it happens again: note the date and inform the property management in writing.
NoI missed my slot. Can I just wash tomorrow?
Not during someone else's slot. Under most house rules you may use free times (hatched on the schedule); otherwise ask the person whose turn it is whether you can swap. A missed slot does not entitle you to a replacement.
Legal basis: Laundry schedule and house rules.
What to do? Ring the doorbell or write in the building's group chat: “Could I swap with you this evening?”
It dependsCan I do laundry on Sundays?
That depends on the house rules. In Switzerland, many house rules prohibit washing on Sundays and public holidays or allow it only without the tumble dryer. If the rules say nothing, quiet washing is generally allowed – but noisy activities may breach cantonal rest-day laws or municipal regulations.
Legal basis: House rules (part of the tenancy agreement); cantonal rest-day law and municipal police regulations.
What to do? Check the house rules. If there's no rule, agree on one together in the building – for example with our laundry room rules.
NoCan I still wash or use the tumble dryer late in the evening?
Usually not. Municipalities set night-time quiet hours, often from 10 pm to 6 or 7 am; many house rules are stricter (e.g. laundry room only until 9 or 10 pm). Spin cycles and tumble dryers can easily be heard through walls and pipes.
Legal basis: Municipal police regulations (night-time quiet hours); house rules; Art. 257f para. 2 CO.
What to do? Check the times in the house rules. Start programmes so that they finish before quiet hours begin.
YesDo I have to clean the laundry room after washing?
Yes. Almost all house rules require you to leave the laundry room clean: wipe the drum and detergent drawer, empty the tumble dryer's lint filter, mop the floor. A full lint filter is also a fire hazard.
Legal basis: House rules; tenant's duty of care (Art. 257f para. 1 CO).
What to do? If someone always forgets: a friendly note to everyone rather than accusing anyone. If that doesn't help: inform the property management.
NoThe machine is broken. Do we tenants have to pay for the repair?
No – the landlord must keep the laundry room fit for use and remedy defects at their own expense, unless a tenant caused the damage. Tenants only pay for minor cleaning and small repairs (e.g. cleaning the lint filter). If the repair takes a while, you can request a rent reduction – from the moment the landlord learned of the defect.
Legal basis: Art. 256 para. 1, Art. 259, 259a, 259b and 259d CO.
What to do? Report the defect in writing immediately (ideally by registered mail) and set a reasonable deadline. Put a note on the machine so nobody uses it.
It dependsHow long can laundry hang in the drying room – and can I take it down?
The usual rule: take down dry laundry after your own slot, at the latest before the next slot. If someone else's dry laundry is in the way, many house rules allow you to take it down carefully and leave it folded nearby. Wet laundry stays where it is.
Legal basis: House rules; Art. 257f para. 2 CO.
What to do? Hang up a dated note; after a day, take the laundry down carefully and place it next to it.
It dependsCan I install my own washing machine in my flat?
If the flat already has a connection, this is usually not a problem. If new water, drainage or electrical connections are needed, that counts as an alteration to the rented property and requires the landlord's written consent. Also check your tenancy agreement and your personal liability insurance (water damage).
Legal basis: Tenancy agreement; Art. 260a para. 1 CO (alterations only with written consent).
What to do? Ask the property management in writing beforehand and keep their reply.
It dependsCan the landlord charge for using the laundry room?
Tenants only have to pay ancillary costs (e.g. electricity and water for the laundry room) if this is expressly agreed in the tenancy agreement. Coin or card machines are permitted if they are agreed and only cover the actual costs. You have the right to inspect the statement of costs.
Legal basis: Art. 257a and 257b CO (ancillary costs).
What to do? Check your tenancy agreement. Ask about anything unclear in writing; get advice from the tenants' association (Mieterverband/ASLOCA/ASI).
It dependsA neighbour never sticks to the schedule. What can I do?
Tenants have no direct claim against each other – the landlord is responsible. The landlord can send a written warning to the tenant who breaches the house rules. If that tenant still doesn't comply and living together becomes unbearable, the landlord can terminate the lease of a flat with 30 days' notice to the end of a month. To act, the landlord needs facts.
Legal basis: Art. 257f para. 2 and 3 CO; house rules.
What to do? 1. Talk to them. 2. Leave a note. 3. Keep a log with date and time. 4. Write to the property management with the log enclosed.
It dependsThe laundry room key is lost. Who pays?
Whoever loses the key is liable for the damage – with master key systems, replacing the cylinders can be expensive. Many personal liability insurance policies cover the loss of rental keys. If a key simply isn't hung back up, that's a matter for the house rules.
Legal basis: House rules and tenancy agreement; duty of care (Art. 257f para. 1 CO).
What to do? Report the loss to the property management immediately and check your insurance.
General information, not legal advice. In each case, the tenancy agreement, house rules and municipal regulations are decisive. Tenants can get advice from the tenants' association (Mieterverband/ASLOCA/ASI), landlords from the homeowners' association (HEV); disputes with the landlord go to the cantonal conciliation authority for tenancy matters (free of charge, Art. 113 para. 2 let. c CPC).