Rental deposit guarantees in Zürich

Disputes over a deposit go to the tenancy conciliation authority, which in the canton is attached to the district court rather than to the local justice of the peace (Zurich courts, checked 21 Oct 2026). After the flat is handed back, the bank releases the deposit only if both sides agree; otherwise either side can claim its release at the conciliation authority, and the bank must pay the tenant if the landlord has not enforced a claim within one year of the handover (Zurich courts, checked 21 Oct 2026). The courts publish a claim form for this (Zurich courts, checked 21 Oct 2026). The deposit itself, capped at three months’ rent, sits in a bank account in the tenant’s name (CO Art. 257e, checked 21 Oct 2026).

For the city of Zurich the Mietgericht and Schlichtungsbehörde are at Wengistrasse 30, 8004 Zurich, with counter hours of 8.00 to 11.45 and 13.30 to 16.45 on weekdays (Bezirksgericht Zürich, checked 21 Oct 2026). The district court’s legal information desk for tenancy questions sees walk-ins on Wednesdays from 9.00 to 11.30 at that address and takes calls on Monday and Wednesday; it answers in German only and not where a lawyer or a case is already involved (Bezirksgericht Zürich, checked 21 Oct 2026). Conciliation proceedings in tenancy matters carry no court costs (CPC Art. 113, 200, 201, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Arrivals from abroad register in person at the Personenmeldeamt Zürich Süd in the Stadthaus, Stadthausquai 17, with a booked appointment, and only once they actually live in the city (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). The deadline is 14 days (2026) (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026); the fee is CHF 40 per adult, plus the cantonal migration office’s permit fees for foreign nationals (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). More in our guide to registering at your commune.