Northern Switzerland Tenants' association wants to simplify Basel housing protection ordinance

The Basel Tenants' Association is calling for changes to the government's Housing Protection Ordinance. Among other things, it should be possible to rectify defects when changing tenants without the need for a permit, as long as no additional rent is charged, the association announced on Monday.

The Tenants' Association (MV) has branded the Housing Protection Ordinance as bureaucratic and misguided. It considers the Housing Protection Act, which it obtained by referendum, to be poorly implemented.

The MA proposes various changes that it believes could simplify the prescribed measures. For example, the replacement of individual appliances such as fridges or washing machines and the simple repair of defects should be exempt from approval - as long as no additional rent is charged.

According to the MA's proposal, larger rent-neutral projects should be able to be approved at an express counter or even online. Rent surcharges of up to CHF 160 should also be able to be handled in a simplified procedure, depending on the size of the apartment. The authorities should only be allowed to request more extensive documents in cases of suspected abuse.