The empty dwellings census provides information on trends and numbers of empty dwellings that are available on the market in Switzerland on the reference day of 1 June. The dwelling vacancy rate is calculated based on the Swiss housing stock.
The survey is conducted in all Swiss communes on the reference day, 1 June.
All furnished, unfurnished and inhabitable dwellings that were empty on the reference day (1 June) and were either available for a long-term tenancy (at least three months) or for sale. Empty single-family houses that were for rent or for sale are also included. Holiday or second homes count as empty dwellings as long as they are advertised for long-term rent (at least three months) or are for sale.
-dwellings that were sold or rented on 1 June but not yet occupied;
-dwellings in buildings being demolished or renovated and makeshift dwellings in sheds;
-(new) dwellings, that were not finished, i.e. were not ready to be moved into on 1 June;
-dwellings which have been closed off owing to construction or health and safety reasons;
-(furnished) apartments that are usually not advertised for long-term rent (at least three months) and for which services such as cleaning are provided frequently;
-dwellings reserved for a limited circle of people (service accommodation or dwellings for later personal use, etc.);
-dwellings that form a spatial unit together with commercial or business premises;
-attic rooms and separate rooms without their own kitchen or kitchenette;
-holiday and second homes that are not advertised for long-term rent (at least three months) or for sale.
The Federal Statistical Office has separated the empty dwellings census into the two categories “for rent” or “for sale” since 1994. From that year on, furnished dwellings advertised for long-term rent (at least three months) have also been included.
The DV rate shows the percentage of empty dwellings (Reference day: 1 June) in the total dwelling stock of the register-based Buildings and Dwellings Statistics (BDS) of the previous year.
Leerwohnungen (available only in German and French)