The owner of a chalet in Switzerland was convicted for renting out his property only a few weeks a year

A Swiss citizen who owns a chalet in the exclusive resort of Zermatt was fined 90,000 Swiss francs, approximately 97,000 euros, after renting out his property too rarely. The sentence is suspended, but he must pay 10,000 francs and the court costs.

The man bought the chalet in the luxury residential complex “7 Heavens” in 2016 through a joint-stock company. His building permit required him to operate the property commercially and rent it out regularly to third parties. The rule seeks to combat the phenomenon of “cold beds,” whereby homes in mountain resorts remain unoccupied for long periods.

Starting in 2017, the chalet was rented out for no more than two or three weeks a year, and in some years it was not rented out at all. Under these circumstances, the municipality of Zermatt referred the matter to the courts.

The court imposed 30 daily fines, each worth 3,000 francs, the maximum penalty provided by law. The sentence was suspended for two years. The penal order became final.