How it works
The smart path to your new home
Rent a property
Live immediately in the house you want, while the owner collects a secure rent with sales prospects.
Find your property
Accumulate capital
Part of the rent becomes your down payment, while the seller has a reliable tenant who enhances the property.
Calculate your capital
Buy the property
Use accumulated capital to buy easily, guaranteeing the seller a sale without negotiations.
Start your journeyThe contract journey
From contract to ownership, simply and structured
- Notarial contract signing
Before the Notary, the sale price, which remains fixed for the entire duration, the contract term, the monthly fee and the accumulation share are bindingly defined. At the same time, the buyer obtains an exclusive right of purchase, formalised through a public deed and registered in the Land Registry, ensuring full legal protection.
- Monthly payments and capital accumulation
During the contract period, the buyer lives in the property and pays a monthly fee composed of a rental portion and a portion allocated to accumulation. The latter is progressively set aside as a down payment on the sale price, allowing the buyer to build over time the capital needed for future mortgage financing.
- Property purchase
At contract expiry, or earlier, the buyer exercises the right of purchase already registered in the Land Registry. The accumulated amount is recognised as equity and allows financing only the remaining balance through a mortgage, thus completing the definitive transition to ownership.
Contract elements
Rights, duties, and operating modes of the involved parties
Parties involved
The contract governs the relationship between the seller, owner of the property, and the buyer, who accesses ownership through the Rent to Buy formula, with clearly defined rights and obligations for both parties.
Contract duration
The duration is established at the time of signing, generally between 1 and 5 years. At expiration, the purchase right must be exercised, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties.
Right of purchase
The buyer is granted an exclusive right to purchase the property within the established timeframe, formalized through a notarial deed and registered in the Land Registry, ensuring full legal protection.
Price and payments
The sale price is fixed from the outset and remains unchanged. The monthly fee is structured with a component for the use of the property and a portion allocated to accumulation, which will be credited towards the final price.
Payment methods
The parties can freely choose between two methods
Option A
Notarial fiduciary account
Payments are made through an account held by the Notary, who guarantees their custody, traceability, and proper management. This method offers the highest level of security for both parties.
Option B
Direct payment to the seller
Payments are made directly to the owner. The accumulation portion is formally recognized and certified at the time of purchase, as established contractually.
Contract outcome
Possible scenarios at contract expiration
Exercise of the purchase right
The buyer completes the purchase of the property by exercising the right within the established terms. The accumulated amounts are credited towards the sale price or recognized as equity for mortgage financing, completing the transition to ownership.
Non-exercise of the right
If the buyer decides not to purchase, the purchase right lapses. The amounts paid remain acquired by the seller as established contractually, and the property is returned vacant within the established terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Switzerland, purchasing a property through a mortgage generally requires equity of 20% of the value.
In the Ticino context — where incomes are often lower than the national average and housing costs remain high — accumulating this sum while paying rent represents a concrete barrier for many.
Rent to Buy in Switzerland was created to overcome this limitation: it allows you to access the property immediately and progressively build the required capital over time.
Rent to Buy is a contractual model that combines rental and purchase, allowing you to live in a property today and buy it later under pre-defined conditions.
In Switzerland, it is based on a solid legal framework:
- rental contract
- right of purchase (art. 216a CO)
- notarial deed with Land Registry registration
The process is straightforward:
- price and conditions are defined from the outset
- you live in the property while accumulating capital
- you complete the purchase through a mortgage
Banks require:
- at least 20% equity
- adequate financial sustainability
Rent to Buy allows you to meet these requirements progressively, turning time into an ally rather than an obstacle.
With a traditional mortgage, access to purchase is immediate but contingent on capital availability.
With Rent to Buy:
- you move in immediately
- you build capital over time
- the price is fixed from the start
- you are not exposed to interest rates during the rental phase
It is a solution designed for those with income stability but insufficient liquidity.
Not necessarily.
Depending on the structure of the transaction, the deposit can range from 0% to 10% of the property value.
When applicable:
- it is deposited with the notary
- it is contractually regulated
- it is applied to the final price
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