Business · Companies · 9 hrs ago
Swiss property platforms raise prices for premium rental-search subscriptions
People in Switzerland are finding it harder to secure rental homes amid a housing shortage.
Swiss Marketplace Group raised its premium subscription price to CHF 34.95 a month for a six-month term, an increase of more than 10 percent.
The company owns major platforms including Homegate and Flatfox, and has an estimated 75 percent share of the market.
Paid subscribers can contact landlords immediately, while people who do not pay may wait up to 14 days, when homes are often already taken.
SMG says the higher price reflects added services, including a free debt-register extract, a moving voucher and better placement in its messaging tool.
The Tenants’ Association says the fees exploit housing scarcity and can be unaffordable for people on low incomes.
SMG says its products improve renters’ chances of finding a home.
Swiss Marketplace Group has raised prices for premium subscriptions on major Swiss property platforms.
The new rate is 34.95 Swiss francs per month for a six-month subscription, an increase of more than 10 percent.
The company says the higher price reflects expanded services, including a free debt-register extract and a moving voucher.
The Swiss Tenants’ Association criticises the increase, saying people on low incomes may not be able to afford the extra cost.
SMG says its products help people searching for housing and improve their chances.
- Who
- Swiss Marketplace Group, which operates platforms including Homegate and Flatfox, raised the subscription prices. The Swiss Tenants’ Association criticised the change.
- What
- Premium rental-search subscriptions now cost 34.95 Swiss francs per month for a six-month term.
- When
- Since the previous month, according to the article published on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland, on property platforms including Homegate and Immoscout24.
- Why
- SMG says the subscriptions include expanded services. The Tenants’ Association says the extra costs burden people with low incomes.
Swiss Marketplace Group
Swiss Tenants’ Association
Price increase
Swiss Marketplace Group
SMG says the higher price reflects an expanded range of services.
Swiss Tenants’ Association
The association criticises the increase because people on low incomes may not be able to afford the added cost.
Effect of the services
Swiss Marketplace Group
SMG says its products help people search for housing and improve their chances.
Swiss Tenants’ Association
The association says platforms are exploiting the housing-market situation.
SMG began charging 34.95 Swiss francs per month for a six-month premium subscription.
Watson reported the price increase and the criticism from the Swiss Tenants’ Association.
- New monthly price
- 34.95 Swiss francs
- Subscription term
- Six months
- Price increase
- More than 10 percent
- Estimated market share
- Around 75 percent
- Platforms named
- Homegate, Immoscout24 and Flatfox
What people are saying
Wer wenig verdient, findet kaum eine bezahlbare Wohnung und kann sich diese Zusatzkosten nicht leisten.
Die Betreiber verdienen an der Wohnungsnot.