WAK-S calls for rent relief for small business owners due to Covid 19 pandemic
The Economic Commission of the Council of States WAK-S has passed a motion according to which small businesses and self-employed persons who pay less than CHF 5,000 gross per month in rent can have the net rent waived for two months. The Federal Council should find a corresponding regulation for this.
The prerequisite is that the business had to be closed or reduced due to the Federal Council measures or that the turnover has decreased by more than 50% compared to the previous year, calculated on an annual basis, due to the Corona crisis, the WAK-S informs. For monthly gross rents of more than CHF5,000, an incentive system is designed to encourage understanding between landlord and tenant: If landlord and tenant agree to reduce the rent owed to one-third, the federal government will pay one-third of the gross rent for a period of two months, up to a maximum of CHF 3,000. Since this provides for a financial contribution by the federal government to the rental costs, additional expenses are to be expected. However, a cost estimate is still pending.
The motion was intended to support particularly affected and financially weak small businesses. On the other hand, the WAK-S rejected considerations that envisage a rent reduction of 70% for the duration of the officially ordered closure for all affected businesses. In view of the very different financial strength on the part of the tenants, they were against such a blanket solution for all tenants.
The Swiss Real Estate Association (VIS) welcomes the motion of the WAK-S, but emphasizes that partnership agreements between tenants and landlords are still in the foreground. If agreements have already been concluded, they must remain valid in any case. For the same reason, the parties to rental agreements are advised to bring negotiations already underway to a speedy conclusion. If there is a regulation at the federal level, the focus must be on supporting small businesses. (ah)
