The sharply increased ancillary costs are likely to cause financial problems for quite a few tenants. Some industry associations and organizations are urging landlords to refrain from threatening to evict their tenants if they fail to pay on time.
Instead, the Berne landlords association, the Bern canton tenants’ association and Casafair Mittelland must agree to pay the additional costs in instalments.
In a statement, the associations write that tenants should also notify the landlord as early as possible should a financial bottleneck arise.
Set up payments voluntarily
In a common appeal, the associations advise tenants to voluntarily adjust their monthly ancillary contribution to the increased prices, ideally in a written agreement. In this way, high or even higher surcharges can be avoided at the next billing.
The associations also support calls for federal and cantonal austerity. With a more economical approach, tenants can reduce their consumption and save costs. Homeowners can have heaters and boilers adjusted so that energy is not wasted. (SDA)