Should I rent out my holiday apartment myself or hand it over to an agency?

What models are there?

Overseas blogs often quote 20% to 35% for full-service management. We could not verify this for Switzerland using a primary source. Ask several providers for a written quote for your apartment. Find out more about the providers at Property management agency, Interhome, atraveo and e-domizil and Tourist office.

What will an agency take off your hands?

The same tasks come up with every stay. Decide which ones you want to handle yourself:

• Answer enquiries, confirm the price, check invoices and payments
• Collect guest registration forms and tourist tax
• Send arrival information, hand over the keys and be available for questions
• Arrange cleaning and laundry, record any damage
• Settle the tourist tax with the municipality and keep a record of income for your tax return

If you live far away and have no one local, the keys and cleaning are the hardest parts. A local cleaning company is often enough for those; you can handle the rest from home with software.

What should you look for in an agency contract?

1. Commission basis: rent only, or cleaning and extras too? Including or excluding VAT?
2. Term and termination: If the contract is a mandate, either party can terminate it at any time; terminating it at an inopportune time means damages are payable (Art. 404 CO). With atraveo, the contract runs until the end of the year and you must give notice by 30 November.
3. Accounts: The agent must account for their actions at any time and hand over everything they receive in carrying out the mandate (Art. 400 CO). Ask for a statement for each booking.
4. Personal use: How many weeks can you block out, and by when?
5. Prices: Who sets them, and can you rent directly for less?
6. Exclusivity: Can you also advertise the apartment yourself? Holidu, for example, gives a one-percentage-point discount for exclusivity.
7. Tourist tax, guest registration form and data: Who collects the tax, who reports guests and who is liable? The agency processes guest data on your behalf, but you remain responsible (Art. 9 FADP).
8. Damage: Who reports it, who pays, and which insurance covers it?

What always remains your responsibility?

You cannot hand over rules that apply to the apartment or to you as its owner: Second Homes Act, condominium ownership, taxes and, depending on the canton, registration as a landlord, for example in Valais, or an identification number in Ticino. With atraveo, settling the tourist tax with the municipality expressly remains the host's responsibility.

When does each option make sense?

• Yourself: You live nearby or have someone reliable on site, and you want to maximise your income.
• Intermediary or tourist office: You want more reach but are happy to handle the keys and cleaning yourself.
• Full service: You have no time and no one local, and are willing to accept a lower income.

If you manage apartments for other owners yourself, find out more at For agencies.