When you sign a lease agreement, you are generally required to make a security deposit of up to three months’ rent in a bank account for your landlord/lady. This means your money is locked away in an escrow account for the entire time you're renting, which can quickly lead to financial difficulties.

The AXA rental guarantee lets you skip the security deposit because we will stand surety for you. This gives you financial flexibility and lets you use the money you've saved up for the things you want, such as new furniture for your new place.

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How does a rental guarantee work

A rental guarantee without a security deposit is the most widely used type of rental guarantee in Switzerland, and the most widely recognized by lessors. A rental guarantee from AXA provides your landlord/lady with the same financial security as a security deposit at a bank. And the service is quicker and better.

A rental guarantee is a surety that provides you as the tenant with the same security as a security deposit at a bank. You only pay an annual fee.

The surety is really simple: If you damage your rented apartment or don't pay your rent, we will pay your landlord/lady for any justifiable damages or rent owed. Sometime later we will then require you to repay us the money we paid to your landlord/lady.

If the apartment has been damaged, we will automatically check to see whether you are liable for the damage or whether your private liability insurance will pay. But we will only do this after we have already paid your landlord/lady for the damage.

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General Insurance Conditions (GIC) [ 46KB]

How much is a rental guarantee from AXA?

4% of the guarantee amount paid annually
No initial fees or costs
10% discount on your rental guarantee with the purchase of AXA personal liability insurance
Free processing if your rental situation changes (e.g. new landlord/lady)
Cancel at any time and receive a pro rata refund of the annual premium you’ve already paid (after consulting with your landlord/lady)

What’s the difference between a security deposit and a rental guarantee?

If you have to put up a deposit for your apartment, you have two options: Take out a rental guarantee or place a security deposit in an escrow account at a bank. We'll show you the differences.

Security deposit:

You cannot use this money. You must leave your money in this bank account for the entire duration of the lease.
Security: An escrow account offers the same security as a rental guarantee.
Costs: An escrow account doesn’t cost you anything. But you could be missing out on earning interest because you are not able to invest your money how you want.
Service: No services are provided.

Rental guarantee:

Your money is not tied up in a bank account. You do not need to deposit any money.
Security: A rental guarantee provides the same security as an escrow account.
Costs: Four percent of the amount of the rental guarantee
Service: For every claim you make, we will automatically check to see whether your personal liability insurance will cover it. There’s a good chance that it will.

An overview of the advantages of a rental guarantee

Here’s what you get with a rental guarantee from AXA:

Your money is available to you whenever you want it
Full security without a security deposit
The most accepted form of rental guarantee in Switzerland
You can cancel your AXA rental guarantee at any time
Your landlord/lady receives the rental guarantee surety within three to five business days

The AXA rental guarantee gives you double the advantages

In order for AXA to stand surety for you, you must have personal liability insurance. This insurance is generally very important to landlords/ladies because it covers a number of damages that could happen in a rental apartment.

Our discount for you: If you buy your rental guarantee and personal liability insurance from AXA, we will give you a 10% discount.

Of course you can still take out an AXA rental guarantee even if your personal liability policy is with another insurance company. But in that case, you won’t receive the bundling discount.

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Support and frequently asked questions

What is a rental guarantee?

AXA’s rental guarantee lets you move into your apartment without having to put down a security deposit worth several months’ rent.

AXA will stand surety for you as the tenant. You pay an annual premium so that your landlord/lady receives a surety that provides the same security as a security deposit. Calculate quote now.
What advantages does a rental guarantee give your landlord/lady?

Rather than receiving a document confirming that an escrow account has been opened, landlords/ladies will receive a surety document three days after the application is made. This means they have fewer administration hassles. They also know that the creditworthiness of their tenant has already been checked and that the tenant has personal liability insurance. This is why rental guarantees are so popular with landlords/ladies.
What happens if a claim is made?

AXA will pay your landlord/lady right away in cases of damage or back rent owed if the claim is justified. We will need the signatures of both the landlord/lady and the tenant. Sometime later we will then require you to repay us the money we paid your landlord/lady.
How is the premium for the rental guarantee calculated?

The amount of the premium is based on the amount of the rental guarantee surety and is set at 4% of the rental guarantee amount. The price includes federal stamp duty. The premium is due annually. Click here if you would like a personal consultation.
What requirements are there for the AXA rental guarantee?

You will need personal liability insurance in order to take out an AXA rental guarantee because this type of insurance covers a lot of the claims that tenants make. Some examples are when your wood flooring is ruined during a party or if your cat uses your apartment doors as scratching posts.

Does the rental guarantee have any disadvantages for a landlord/lady?

A rental guarantee from AXA provides landlords/ladies with the same security as a security deposit in a bank. The landlord/lady will receive the surety three business days after the tenant purchases it. And the landlord/lady knows for certain that the tenant has taken out personal liability insurance.

We pay immediately if there is a claim due to unpaid rent or damage to the apartment, for example. In order to issue payment, we will need the signatures of both the landlord/lady and the tenant.
Are my premiums used in order to pay off the rental guarantee?

No, your premiums are used to pay for the surety that AXA provides for you as a tenant. This surety is AXA’s guarantee that it will pay for any damage to the apartment or any back rent owed up to the defined amount during the term of your lease.
How much will the AXA rental guarantee pay?

The rental guarantee is limited to a maximum amount of CHF 20,000.
What happens when your landlord/lady seeks payment from the rental guarantee?

The landlord/lady reports damages to the apartment or makes a claim for unpaid rent. To do this, he/she must send you the original surety document with his/her signature. You must sign this document to give your consent and then we will transfer this amount to your landlord/lady. We will claim this amount back from you later on.
What happens if the landlord/lady and I can’t come to an agreement?
If the disagreement is about damages to the apartment, you should always report these to your personal liability insurance first. It covers any justified liability claims and protects against unsubstantiated ones. If your landlord/lady has initiated debt collection proceedings, we are required to pay the debts without your consent if
- we receive a default summons.
- we receive a legally binding court decision with a fine against you.
What happens to the rental guarantee when I move?

Your present AXA rental guarantee cannot simply be transferred to your new apartment. You must cancel your existing rental guarantee and sign a new contract with a new rental guarantee amount for your new apartment.
Can a landlord/lady refuse to accept a rental guarantee?

Yes. Your landlord/lady has the right to ask you for an ordinary security deposit with a bank. This is stated in your lease agreement.
What happens if the landlord refuses the rental guarantee from AXA and I have already paid the annual premium?

The premium you have paid will be refunded.
Can I convert a security deposit at a bank into an AXA rental guarantee?

Yes, no problem. After you talk with your landlord/lady, you can take out an AXA rental guarantee at any time. After he/she receives the surety document, he/she will refund your security deposit.
How do I cancel the AXA rental guarantee?

The landlord/lady must confirm the cancellation in writing and return the surety document. As the tenant, you are responsible for paying the premiums for the AXA rental guarantee until the end of your lease.

The alternative to a security deposit Rental guarantee