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You can read this article in German, French, Italian, or English.
We’ve put together this article to help Hosts on Airbnb become familiar with hosting responsibilities, and to provide a general overview of different laws, regulations, and best practices that may affect Hosts. You’re required to follow our guidelines, like our Hosting Standards, and to make sure that you follow the laws and other rules that apply to your specific circumstances and locale.
The safety and health of Hosts, guests and the public are a key priority for Airbnb. In response to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Airbnb is launching an enhanced cleaning protocol for Switzerland. This article provides helpful information for Hosts and guests. If you are hosting, it’s important to revisit your cleaning routine to make sure you protect yourself and your guests.
We recommend that you do your own research, as this article isn’t comprehensive, and doesn’t constitute legal or tax advice. Also, as we don’t update this article in real time, please check each source and make sure that the information provided hasn’t recently changed.
We care about the safety of Hosts and their guests. You can improve your guests’ peace of mind by providing a few simple preparations like emergency instructions and noting any potential hazards.
Global information about Airbnb’s enhanced cleaning protocol can be found in our help center article on general info about hosting places to stay.
Please ensure that you follow the specific governmental COVID-19 hygiene and safety orders for your accommodation, as they might define additional requirements. We have also put together some helpful information to consider when traveling through various parts of Switzerland.
Resources of non-pharmaceutical countermeasures in relation to COVID-19 from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (English)
Include a contact list with the following phone numbers:
It’s also a good idea to make sure guests know the best way to contact you in case of an emergency. You can also communicate with guests using messages on Airbnb as a safe alternative.
Keep a first aid kit and tell your guests where it is. Check it regularly so you can restock supplies if they run out.
If you have gas appliances, follow any applicable gas safety regulations and make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector. Provide a fire extinguisher and remember to maintain it regularly.
Ensure you have a clearly marked fire escape route. Post a map of the route so it’s easy for guests to see.
Here are some ways you can help prevent potential hazards:
Some guests travel with young family members and need to understand if your home is right for them. You can use the Additional notes section of Listing details in your Airbnb account to indicate potential hazards or indicate that your home isn’t suitable for children and infants.
Working appliances, like furnaces and air conditioners, can greatly affect your guests’ comfort during their stay. There are lots of ways you can make sure your guests stay comfortable:
Establish safe occupancy limits. Your local government may have guidelines.
Tax is a complex topic. Your own tax obligations can vary based on your particular circumstances, so we recommend that you research your obligations or consult a tax professional to get more specific information.
In general, the money you earn as a Host on Airbnb is considered taxable income that may be subject to different taxes like rental tax, income tax, or VAT.
Tax forms for Switzerland are due by 31 March each tax year. Check with the Swiss Federal Tax Administration to find out if you need to declare the amount you earn from hosting, which you can find in your Host earnings summary. It’s also a good idea to find out if you’re eligible for other credits like tax reliefs and allowances.
We want to make it easy for you to understand your tax responsibilities as a host on Airbnb, so we’ve partnered with an independent third-party accounting firm to provide a free tax guide (available in German, Italian, French, and English) that covers general tax information in Switzerland.
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration ('FTA') may request Airbnb to provide specific data in respect of certain taxpayers. Airbnb is legally required to provide a limited amount of data about transactions that take place on the Airbnb platform to the FTA upon request.
Elige uno de los siguientes lugares para obtener información específica sobre la ciudad, el condado o la región. Si el área que buscas no aparece en la lista, puedes consultar información general sobre la normativa local.
It’s important to make sure you’re allowed to host on your property. Some examples of restrictions include contracts, laws, and community rules. Check with a lawyer or local authority to learn more about regulations, restrictions, and obligations specific to your circumstances.
You can use the general info in this article as a starting point to learn about hosting regulations and permissions.
If you Host in Switzerland, you may be legally required to collect and retain the information of your Swiss and foreign guests. You can often find explanations about guest registration in your canton's hospitality law or on request from the competent authority.
Guest control can be carried out by means of notification certificates from the competent cantonal authority. Some Cantons allow you to submit guest registration information through an electronic form.
Check the Federal Law on Foreigners for more information on the legal basis regarding the reporting of your foreign guests.
If you decide to keep a guest directory, you will need to comply with all applicable data protection laws including the Federal Swiss Act on Data Protection. Also, please remember to protect the your guests’ data from access by third parties, and only process it when you need to fulfill the duties of the Swiss reporting system. You can learn more about how data protection laws affect you as a host from data protection authorities, specialized lawyers, or hosting associations.
Sometimes leases, contracts, building regulations, and community rules have restrictions against subletting or hosting. Review any contracts you’ve signed or contact your landlord, community council, or other authority.
You might be able to add an addendum to your lease or contract that can provide clarity about concerns, responsibilities, and liabilities for all parties. Find out more about this process.
If your property has a mortgage (or any form of loan), check with the lender to make sure that there aren’t restrictions against subletting or hosting.
Subsidized housing usually has rules that prohibit subletting without permission. Check with your housing authority or housing association if you live in a subsidized housing community and are interested in becoming a Host.
If you share your home with others, consider making a formal agreement with your housemates in order to outline expectations. Housemate agreements can include how often you plan to host, guest etiquette, whether you'll share revenue, and more.
If you employ staff to offer your accommodation, ex: cleaners or receptionists, you should observe the "Collective employment contract of the hospitality industry" (L-GAV). Further information can be found on this website (available in German, French, and Italian). If you have any questions, please contact the respective inspection body.
According to EU consumer protection law, when you commercially offer goods or services online, you’re required to provide your customers with specific information. When you host through Airbnb, it’s considered a service. We have information and tools to help you decide whether you should identify as a hospitality expert and understand your responsibility to protect consumers in the EU.
We’ll take appropriate action if anyone notifies us of potential misuse. We have guidelines to help local authorities report housing misuse.
Part of being a responsible Host is helping your guests understand best practices for interacting with your community. When you communicate local rules and customs with your guests, you’re helping to create a great experience for everyone.
If your building has common spaces or shared amenities, let guests know the rules for those places.
You can include your house rules on the Additional notes section of Listing details in your Airbnb account. Guests usually appreciate it when you share your expectations with them upfront.
It’s usually a good idea to let your neighbors know if you’re planning to host. This gives them the chance to let you know if they have any concerns or considerations.
Guests book through Airbnb for lots of reasons, including vacations and celebrations. Let your guests know how noise impacts neighbors early on for a smoother experience.
If you’re concerned about disturbances to your community, there are different ways you can help limit excessive noise:
Communicate any parking rules for your building and neighborhood to your guests. Examples of possible parking rules:
First, check your lease or building rules to make sure there isn’t a restriction on pets. If you allow guests to bring pets, they’ll appreciate knowing good places to exercise their pet or where they should dispose of waste. Share a backup plan, like the number of a nearby pet kennel, in case a guest's pet upsets the neighbors.
Always respect your guests' privacy. Our rules on surveillance devices clearly state what we expect from our Hosts, but some locations have additional laws and regulations that you’ll need to be aware of.
If you don't allow smoking, we suggest posting signs to remind guests. If you do allow smoking, be sure to provide ashtrays in designated areas.
Work with your insurance agent or carrier to determine what kind of obligations, limits, and coverage are required for your specific circumstances.
AirCover for Hosts includes Host damage protection and Host liability insurance, which provide you with basic coverage for listed damages and liabilities. However, these don’t take the place of homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, or adequate liability coverage. You might need to meet other insurance requirements as well.
We strongly encourage all Hosts to review and understand the terms of their insurance policy coverage. Not all insurance plans will cover damage or loss of property caused by a guest who books your accommodation.
Learn more about AirCover for Hosts.
Review your homeowner's or renter's policy with your insurance agent or carrier to make sure your listing has adequate liability coverage and property protection.
Check out our hosting FAQs to learn more about hosting on Airbnb.
Please note that Airbnb has no control over the conduct of Hosts and disclaims all liability. Failure of Hosts to satisfy their responsibilities may result in suspension of activity or removal from the Airbnb website. Airbnb isn’t responsible for the reliability or correctness of the information contained in any links to third party sites (including any links to legislation and regulations).