⏱ 1 min 30 read
Background
The pension fund for Basel-City civil servants (PKBS) owns five century-old buildings on Boulevard Carl-Vogt in Geneva. To renovate them, it terminated the open-ended leases of some fifty tenants. The Swiss Tenants' Association (ASLOCA) negotiated with the owner.
The key points
ASLOCA and PKBS have reached an agreement, announced on 28 October 2026 according to the ATS news agency as reported by La Télé. Tenants remain free to sign up to it or not.
Those who wish will be able to return to their flat after the works. PKBS will offer temporary housing and cover the rent difference and moving costs. Rents will then be capped for five years, under the Geneva law on demolition, works and renovation of residential buildings (LDTR).
The cap is extended to ten years for hardship cases and becomes permanent for those over 75. Those who leave will receive three rental offers from the Naef agency and a lump-sum compensation. The agreement was signed on 2 November.
Key figures
- 5 : buildings concerned on Boulevard Carl-Vogt
- Around fifty : tenants whose lease was terminated
- 5 years : rent cap after works, 10 years for hardship cases
- 75 years : age above which the cap is permanent
- 6 months : maximum time to leave the flat after the building permit
What it means for businesses
- Institutional landlords : the agreement is meant as a model for other renovations, according to the canton.
- PKBS : it hopes to obtain the building permit quickly, as signatories waive their right to appeal.
Who says what
- Nicolas Walder (State Councillor in charge of the territory): renovations must be done “with tenants and not against them”.
- Rudolf Rechsteiner (delegate of the PKBS board): the agreement comes at a cost, but avoids lengthy legal proceedings.
