Housing Federation wants less bureaucracy in the construction industry
Published: Thursday, Jun 20th 2024, 10:20
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A newly founded association for housing made up of homeowners and real estate associations wants to tackle the housing shortage with less bureaucracy. Hurdles for extensions, densification and conversions are to be lowered. The federal government considers "excessive regulation" to be misguided.
Switzerland needs 50,000 new apartments a year, as the association explained to the media in Bern on Thursday. There are 10,000 too few being built. Since 2016, the number of building permits has fallen by 30 percent. The shortage of apartments is now widespread. Only a greater supply would have a price-dampening effect.
In a "housing policy manifesto", the members of the Confederation - the Homeowners' Association, the Master Builders' Association, six real estate associations and two other organizations - call for faster building permits. Abusive objections should have higher cost consequences. Courts would enforce noise regulations more rigidly, even though modern insulation systems practically eliminate noise.
All players in residential construction should be on an equal footing. This is why the federal government wants to eliminate pre-emption rights for the public sector. Private investors should not be squeezed out.
The association is calling for easier conditions for the advance withdrawal of pension fund assets for the purchase of residential property. It rejects a tightening of tenancy law as well as more far-reaching rent and yield controls.
It wants to limit the subletting of apartments to two years and extend landlords' rights. Terminations for personal use are to be made easier.
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