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Max. 3 months' rentfor monetary security on residential propertyArt. 257e COUrbanHome · Renting guide
Renting an apartment without a deposit: offers are becoming more common in Switzerland
More rental listings in Switzerland advertise “rent without a deposit” or a collective insurance arrangement that does not require tenants to lock up three months' rent in a blocked bank account. The trend is clearly visible in 2026, but “no rental deposit” can mean very different things – and not every option is free for tenants.
Author: Nikita von Niederhäuser, UrbanHome real estate expert Updated: · Reading time: approx. 14 minutes
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Not compulsorya deposit is owed only if agreedThe rental agreement matters03
3 optionsbank deposit, individual insurance or collective coverCosts vary considerably04
Liability remainsno deposit does not mean no responsibilityDamage and claims still matterTrend 2026
More
liquidity.
Less money tied up.
A traditional rental deposit ties up considerable capital when moving in. Deposit-free offers are therefore increasingly used as a marketing advantage.
Making moving in more affordable
01
High upfront cash requirements
For an apartment costing CHF 2,000 a month, landlords may request security of up to three months' rent. Tenants may also have to pay the first month's rent, moving expenses, cleaning, furniture and possibly overlapping rent for their old home.
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Landlords promote deposit-free renting
For landlords and institutional owners, a deposit-free offer can be an attractive selling point. Current listings show that “rent without a deposit” appears directly in apartment titles and rental campaigns.
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No national statistics
There are no official Swiss statistics on the number of rental agreements without deposits. However, a wider range of arrangements is visible – from individual insurance to collective solutions covering entire properties and new developments.
Three options
“No rental deposit” does not always mean the same thing
The crucial distinction is whether the landlord waives the security entirely, uses individual insurance or provides a collective insurance arrangement.
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Traditional option
Blocked bank account
Up to three months' rent is held in an account in the tenant's name.
Costs: no recurring insurance premium; bank fees may apply.
Liquidity: the capital remains blocked during the tenancy.
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Individual option
Rental deposit insurance
An insurer guarantees the deposit amount to the landlord.
Costs: usually an annual premium that is not refunded.
Liquidity: no large sum is tied up in a blocked account.
Learn about rental deposit insurance →03
Collective arrangement
Property owner pays for insurance
Under certain arrangements, the owner insures several tenancies collectively.
Under the Regimo arrangements described, the property owner pays the insurance premium.[3]
Liquidity: no individual bank deposit is required.
“No bank deposit” does not necessarily mean free of charge
With individual rental deposit insurance, tenants generally pay a recurring premium themselves.
Swiss tenancy law
What does Swiss tenancy law say about rental deposits?
Article 257e of the Swiss Code of Obligations governs security provided by tenants. For residential premises, monetary or securities-based deposits may not exceed three months' rent. Money must be placed in a savings or deposit account at a bank in the tenant's name.[1]
However, a rental deposit is not automatically required under every tenancy. The Swiss Tenants' Association explains that a rental deposit is due when it has been agreed in the tenancy agreement.[2]
Renting an apartment without a traditional bank deposit is therefore generally permitted. What matters is the security agreed in the specific contract – or whether the landlord waives it.
Examples in 2026
Where can you find offers to rent without a deposit?
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Regimo
Selected properties without a traditional deposit
Regimo explains that tenants in selected managed properties do not have to place three months' rent in a blocked bank account. The owner takes out collective insurance and pays the premium under this arrangement.[3]
Listings have advertised deposit-free renting in locations including Regensdorf, Bassersdorf, Zurich, Winterthur and Kloten.[4]
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Chur
AXA collective agreement
Rental listings in Chur have advertised “rent without a deposit” and referred to an AXA collective insurance arrangement.[5]
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Bern
Hochhuus Bern
For the planned first occupancy in 2026, the Hochhuus Bern development has also advertised collective rental deposit insurance instead of a traditional blocked deposit.[6]
Benefits
What are the advantages of an apartment without a traditional rental deposit?
The greatest benefit is preserving liquidity when moving home.
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LiquidityMore money stays available
Up to three months' rent need not be tied up
Less financial overlap when moving home
More money for moving, cleaning and furniture
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Easier move-inFewer financial obstacles
Collective arrangements can reduce administration
No separate deposit account is necessary
Moving into a comparable apartment may be easier to finance
Costs and risks
“No rental deposit” does not mean “no financial obligations”
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Individual insurancePremiums are recurring costs
Tenants pay recurring premiums that are not refunded at the end of the tenancy. The Swiss Tenants' Association therefore draws attention to the long-term costs.[2]
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Collective insuranceNo personal premium – but liability remains
When the property owner pays the premium, tenants do not bear this recurring expense.
Nevertheless, legitimate claims for damage, unpaid rent and other obligations remain.
Liability
No deposit does not mean no liability
Rental deposit insurance is not liability insurance. If an insurer pays a legitimate claim to the landlord, it may seek repayment from the tenant depending on the contractual arrangement.
Regimo explicitly states that tenants remain responsible for damage they cause.[3]
Private liability insurance with sufficient cover for damage to rented property therefore remains important.
Application
How important is creditworthiness?
Renting without a deposit does not automatically mean fewer checks.
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Regimo
Good creditworthiness required
Regimo requires an impeccable credit record for this arrangement. It refers to a creditworthiness certificate or a recent debt enforcement register extract as evidence.[3]
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Insurance
Individual insurers also check creditworthiness
Providers of individual rental deposit insurance also perform credit checks. SwissCaution lists a positive credit assessment as a requirement for certain applications.[7]
Direct comparison
Bank deposit or renting without a deposit?
The better option depends mainly on available cash, the length of the tenancy and who bears the costs.
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Sufficient savings
Traditional blocked account
Often financially attractive for longer tenancies: no recurring insurance premiums, and the deposit remains the tenant's property.
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Limited moving budget
Consider a deposit-free option
No large sum is locked away when moving in, leaving more money available for relocation.
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Owner pays
Collective insurance
Particularly attractive financially if no capital has to be blocked and no personal premium is payable.
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Tenant pays
Compare total costs
Annual insurance premiums are recurring expenses and will not be refunded later.
Before signing the lease
In8How to assess a deposit-free rental offer.
These eight steps help you identify the real costs and obligations before committing.
GoalUnderstand the costs before signing
01
Listing
What exactly does the advertisement say?
Check whether it states “no deposit” or merely “rental deposit insurance available”.
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Contract
Read the security clause carefully
Is a form of security agreed, and if so, which type?
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Premium
Who pays for the insurance?
Establish whether the owner, management company or tenant pays.
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Provider
Check the insurer
Identify the insurer or organisation bearing the risk.
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Costs
Compare long-term expenses
Compare annual premiums over a realistic tenancy period with a traditional bank deposit.
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Creditworthiness
Understand the requirements
Clarify the credit checks and documents required beforehand.
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Liability
Read the reimbursement provisions
Find out what happens if the insurer pays a landlord's claim.
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Security
Avoid unverified advance payments
Never transfer a deposit or premium to an unknown person solely on the basis of an advertisement.
Checklist
What to check before signing
Ten points to clarify before signing a deposit-free rental agreement.
01–05
CostsFinancial conditions understood
Reviewed the deposit clause in the contract
Checked for hidden annual premiums
Confirmed who pays the premium
Compared bank deposit and insurance costs
Checked fees and cancellation conditions
06–10
SecurityContracting parties and liability checked
Verified the landlord or management company
Checked the insurer or risk bearer
Understood the credit requirements
Understood reimbursement claims for damage
Made no unverified advance payments
Sources
Sources and information date
Legal statements and examples are based on official legal sources, information from the Swiss Tenants' Association and the relevant providers.
Legal and information status:
- Fedlex: Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 257e
- Swiss Tenants' Association: Rental deposit
- Regimo: Deposit-free renting and collective insurance
- Regimo Zurich: Rental offers
- ImmoScout24: Listings referring to AXA collective insurance
- Hochhuus Bern: Collective insurance for first occupancy in 2026
- SwissCaution: Requirements and changing from a bank deposit
Listings and conditions can change. No official nationwide statistics on the number of deposit-free rental apartments are currently available.
Explore further
Related guides
01
Renting in Switzerland: guides and practical advice
Explore rental deposits, budgets, tenancy agreements, applications and apartment searches.
02
Where 32,900 new rental apartments are planned
Find out where new rental housing is being developed in Switzerland and when apartments may become available.
03
Sihlcity Zurich: 43 new rental apartments planned
Details about the planned apartments, project timeline and rental market in Zurich.
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions about renting without a deposit
The essential answers, clearly explained.
12Questions & answers
Yes. A deposit is not automatically required by law; in practice it is usually agreed in the rental contract. Landlords may waive a traditional deposit or offer an alternative security arrangement.
For residential premises, security provided in money or securities cannot exceed three months' rent. A cash deposit must be held in a bank account in the tenant's name.
It may mean that the landlord waives the deposit entirely, the owner pays for collective insurance, or tenants pay an annual premium for individual rental deposit insurance instead of a bank deposit.
No. Rental deposit insurance means no cash is tied up in a blocked bank account, but tenants generally pay a recurring premium and remain responsible for valid claims.
Under this arrangement, the owner insures several tenancies collectively. In the Regimo offers described, the owner pays the premium and tenants do not have to provide an individual bank deposit.
Moving often involves paying the first month's rent, removal costs, cleaning and furniture at the same time. Blocking another three months' rent significantly increases the amount of cash needed.
You are still responsible. Waiving a bank deposit does not remove liability. Landlords or insurers may still pursue legitimate claims.
It depends on the offer. Regimo requires an impeccable credit record for the deposit-free properties it describes.
Not unilaterally. The landlord must accept the alternative security before an existing bank deposit can be released.
Often, if you have enough cash available. The deposit remains your property and is paid back once released, while insurance premiums are not refunded.
The trend is visible in 2026 listings and new collective arrangements. However, there is no official nationwide time series showing how many apartments are rented without a deposit.
Look for terms such as “rent without a deposit”, “no bank deposit”, “collective insurance” or “rental deposit guarantee”, and check the contractual conditions carefully.
UrbanHome Renting GuideExplore more renting guides →
Key takeaways
Conclusion: Deposit-free renting can be attractive – but the arrangement matters
Apartments without traditional bank deposits have become more visible in Swiss listings in 2026. Owner-funded collective insurance arrangements can be particularly attractive because tenants neither tie up capital nor pay their own premium.
Individual rental deposit insurance, however, is primarily a way to preserve liquidity. It replaces the bank deposit but creates recurring expenses. Under all arrangements, tenants remain responsible for valid claims and damage.
It is therefore worth reading each listing carefully: “no deposit”, “no blocked account”, “collective insurance” and “rental deposit insurance” may have very different financial consequences.
Rental apartments Switzerland
Find a rental apartment in Switzerland
Compare current rental apartments on UrbanHome. For suitable offers, look out for descriptions such as “rent without a deposit”, “no bank deposit” or “collective insurance”.
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