Moving out after a separation: Sorting the tenancy agreement, furniture and household contents

A separation is difficult enough. When you also have to deal with the shared flat, furniture and personal belongings, an emotional situation can quickly become an organisational challenge. Who will stay in the flat for the time being? Who will move out? What happens to the tenancy agreement? And where can you put furniture, boxes or sentimental belongings if not everything has been decided yet? Here, you will learn how to bring order to the most important questions step by step: from the tenancy agreement and household contents to temporary storage when you first need space and time.

Shared flat after a separation: What should be clarified first?

When you separate and share a flat, not everything has to be decided permanently straight away. The first priority is to clarify the next practical steps: who will stay in the flat for the time being, who will move out and by when?

Sometimes, the solution is only temporary. One person stays in the flat for a few more weeks, while the other finds a short-term arrangement with friends, family or in a smaller flat. What matters is agreeing on a realistic timetable and deciding when personal belongings and furniture will be collected.

It is best to clarify everything relating to the tenancy agreement, notice period and ongoing costs in the next step.

What happens to the tenancy agreement after a separation?

Even if you have already reached an agreement between yourselves, what matters first is who signed the tenancy agreement. If both people are named in the agreement, both generally remain liable to the landlord until the agreement is amended or terminated. The Swiss Tenants’ Association explains that all people named in a joint tenancy agreement have the same rights and obligations.

If both people are named in the tenancy agreement, the person who has already moved out may still remain liable for the rent. This is often referred to as joint and several liability: the landlord may generally claim unpaid rent from either party to the agreement. This also applies if you are not married but lived together as an unmarried couple. You can agree between yourselves who will pay the rent for the time being. However, as far as the property management company is concerned, the people named in the tenancy agreement are usually the ones who remain responsible.

If you want to terminate the tenancy after the separation or amend the agreement, clarify the following points early on:

• Should the tenancy be terminated jointly?
• Should one person take over the tenancy agreement alone?
• Will the property management company agree to amend the agreement?
• Who will pay the rent, service charges, electricity and internet until then?
• What notice period is stated in the agreement?

Important: Do not settle these points verbally only. Record them in a way that is clear and understandable for both parties. If you cannot agree on the tenancy agreement, outstanding costs or liability, advice from a tenants’ organisation or a legal professional may be helpful.

Dividing household contents after a separation: How to do it fairly

When it comes to household contents, a separation can quickly become emotional. A sofa is no longer just a sofa, but perhaps a shared purchase, a point of conflict or part of an everyday life that is falling away. Even so, it helps to start as objectively as possible. Make a list of everything that needs to be dealt with: furniture, appliances, crockery, books, documents and personal belongings. You can then decide step by step what should happen to each item..

And what if you are still unsure about certain items? It is better to decide later than in the middle of an argument.

Which items belong in storage?

Storage is mainly suitable for items you want to keep safe but do not need immediately. These may include furniture, boxes containing household items, books, clothing, seasonal belongings or sentimental items.

Broken items or things you are certain you no longer need should be sorted out beforehand. This keeps the storage unit smaller and prevents you from carrying unnecessary clutter into the next stage.

Tip: If you continue to have too little storage space after moving, renting a storage unit as an alternative to a cellar or using long-term storage may also be worthwhile.

How much does it cost to store furniture after a separation?

The cost depends on the location, size and rental period. A few boxes will usually only require a small unit. If you would like to store furniture, the Zebrabox volume calculator can help you estimate the right size.

Tip: At Zebrabox, you can rent flexible temporary storage if you quickly need more space during a separation. This can be for a few boxes, individual pieces of furniture or the household contents of an entire room.