Frequently asked questions

The principle is simple: instead of tying up the equivalent of three months’ rent in a bank account, you pay an affordable annual premium. This means your capital remains available for your projects, your move or any other needs. It is the ideal solution for combining the security required by your landlord with your financial freedom, thanks to a service approved by FINMA and recognised throughout Switzerland.

Yes, our rent guarantee is recognised and accepted by the vast majority of estate agents, real estate agencies and landlords in Switzerland. Our FINMA approval and reliability are a guarantee of trust for real estate professionals. If your estate agent does not yet know us, please contact us: our team will get in touch with them to present the advantages of our partnership.

Our pricing is transparent and designed to be advantageous.

• First year: your premium is calculated on a sliding scale, based on your move-in date. It ranges from CHF 25 to CHF 120 for the current year.
• Subsequent years: the annual premium is fixed and corresponds to 5% of the amount of your rent guarantee, plus CHF 25.
• The 2-year advantage: double savings. By paying for your first two years when you subscribe on our website, you benefit from an additional 10% discount on the second year’s premium.

Maximise your savings by combining a sliding scale rate from the first year with an additional 10% discount on the second year.

Once your file is complete (ID, lease and payment validated), our team will process it as a priority. As a general rule, your express certificates will be sent to you by email and post for signature within 24 hours. This allows you to quickly forward the document to your landlord or their representative. However, this timeframe may vary depending on when you submit your application (business hours, weekends or public holidays).

Good news! You can recover your capital at any time by choosing the SmartCaution rent guarantee. Our team will replace your existing bank guarantee: all you have to do is sign up online. As soon as the new signed SmartCaution certificate is sent to the property management company, they will inform your bank that it can release the amount blocked on your account, which you can then use freely again. It’s simple, and we will guide you through every step of the process.

At the end of your lease, there are two possible scenarios:

• Everything is in order: Your landlord returns the signed guarantee certificate to us, which officially releases our commitment. Your contract ends.
• In the event of a dispute (damage, unpaid rent): If your landlord has a justified claim, SmartCaution will advance the amount due. You will then be required to reimburse us in full for this amount. Remember to contact your civil liability insurance provider , which may cover the costs of any damage.

Yes, you can cancel your contract at any time and at no cost, on one condition: you must provide your landlord with an equivalent replacement guarantee (such as a bank deposit), and they must return the original certificate to us to release us from our commitment.