Terms & Conditions

    Valid from: July 2026

    These terms govern the use of the platforms and services of the CHflat Association.

    This English text is a convenience translation. The German version is the legally binding one.

    1. Provider and Scope of Application

    These Terms of Use govern the legal relationship between the CHflat Association, hereinafter referred to as 'CHflat', 'we' or 'us', and all persons who use our platforms, websites or services, hereinafter referred to as 'User'.

    CHflat is an association pursuant to Art. 60 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code and operates in particular the platforms:

    • chflat.ch
    • chflat.eu
    • chflat.com

    Contact

    CHflat Association Switzerland

    Email: info@chflat.ch

    These Terms of Use apply to apartment seekers, landlords, property managers, providers of rental properties, as well as other visitors and registered users of the platform.

    By registering, Users confirm through active consent that they have read and accept these Terms of Use. For functions without registration, the provisions shall apply to the extent they are applicable to the respective use.

    The Privacy Policy forms an integral part of these Terms of Use.

    2. Purpose and Role of CHflat

    CHflat provides a digital platform that connects apartment seekers in particular with landlords, owners, and property managers in Switzerland.

    CHflat offers, among others, the following functions:

    • Creation of a digital tenant profile
    • Creation and management of an application dossier
    • Storage of application documents in protected storage areas
    • Sharing of selected data and documents with landlords
    • Publication and management of rental advertisements
    • Management and evaluation of applications
    • Contact and communication functions
    • Invitations to viewings
    • AI-supported assistance functions
    • News, blog, and information services
    • Voluntary donation options

    CHflat exclusively provides the technical infrastructure. CHflat is in particular:

    • neither landlord nor tenant,
    • neither owner nor property manager of an advertised property,
    • not a real estate broker,
    • not a representative of a User,
    • not a party to a lease agreement,
    • not a debt collection or credit reference agency,
    • not a legal, financial, tax, or real estate consultancy.

    Contractual Relationships

    The use of CHflat does not create a brokerage contract or a mandate for the procurement of a rental relationship.

    Contracts and other agreements are concluded exclusively between the participating Users. CHflat is not a party to these legal relationships.

    3. Scope of Services

    CHflat provides the platform with the scope of functions available at the time.

    CHflat may at any time:

    • supplement,
    • amend,
    • restrict,
    • temporarily deactivate,
    • replace with other functions,
    • offer as test or beta functions.

    There is no entitlement to specific functions, specific technical designs, or the permanent provision of individual offerings.

    In particular, CHflat provides no guarantee that:

    • a tenancy agreement will be concluded,
    • a user will find an apartment,
    • a landlord will find suitable applicants,
    • an advertisement is still available,
    • an application will be answered,
    • user information is complete or correct,
    • uploaded documents are authentic or up-to-date,
    • other users fulfill their obligations.

    4. Free of Charge and Financing

    The basic use of CHflat is free of charge for apartment seekers, landlords, and property managers.

    In particular, there are no:

    • subscription fees,
    • brokerage commissions,
    • pay-per-contact fees,
    • hidden mandatory costs.

    CHflat is financed in particular through voluntary donations.

    Donations:

    • are entirely voluntary,
    • do not establish any entitlement to additional functions,
    • do not lead to any preferential treatment,
    • do not increase the chances of obtaining an apartment,
    • may be processed via external payment service providers.

    Additional Services and Sale of Data

    If paid additional services are introduced in the future, the price, scope of services, and payment terms will be displayed transparently before completion. No payment obligation arises without express consent.

    CHflat does not sell, rent, or license personal data for advertising purposes.

    5. Registration and User Account

    A user account is required to use certain functions.

    Registration takes place in particular:

    • passwordless with a one-time code via email,
    • via Google OAuth,
    • via Apple Sign In,
    • or via other registration methods offered in the future.

    Users must be at least 18 years of age and have the capacity to act.

    By registering, users confirm that:

    • their information is truthful,
    • they are lawfully using the email address provided,
    • they are not acting under a false identity,
    • they are not misappropriating the identity of another person,
    • they are authorized to use the specified company or organization.

    Account Management

    Users are obligated to keep their information up to date and complete.

    In principle, each person may only maintain one personal account per permitted role. The creation of multiple accounts to circumvent blocks, restrictions, or security measures is prohibited.

    Accounts may not be sold, rented, transferred, or permanently assigned to other persons for their use.

    Users are responsible for the security of their email accounts, end devices, and active sessions. Any suspected unauthorized access must be reported to CHflat immediately.

    6. Verification and Identity Checks

    CHflat may, but is not obligated to, verify profiles, advertisements, identities, authorizations, or documents.

    In particular, CHflat may at any time:

    • request proof of identity,
    • request proof of business entity or ownership,
    • request proof of representation or a management mandate,
    • request additional verification documents,
    • inquire about identity or regarding an advertisement,
    • temporarily suspend an account or advertisement until clarification is provided.

    Verification Status

    A completed check or designation as verified does not mean that CHflat guarantees the accuracy, authenticity, solvency, reliability, or legality of all information.

    No liability on the part of CHflat shall arise from a check that was not performed or was performed only on a random basis.

    7. Duties of Users

    Users are obligated to use the platform in a fair, diligent, appropriate, and legally compliant manner.

    In particular, it is prohibited to:

    • provide false or misleading information,
    • upload forged or manipulated documents,
    • use third-party identities,
    • advertise unavailable or invented rental properties,
    • publish test advertisements as genuine offers,
    • publish advertisements without the consent or mandate of the entitled party,
    • request advances, deposits, or fees with fraudulent intent,
    • distribute discriminatory, racist, sexist, offensive, threatening, or immoral content,
    • upload illegal content or content that infringes copyrights,
    • distribute malware or harmful code,
    • circumvent security measures,
    • deceive, harass, or pressure other users,
    • use the data of other users for advertising or other irrelevant purposes,
    • collect personal data without a permitted purpose,
    • extract content or data by automated means,
    • utilize scraping, crawling, bots, or comparable automated systems,
    • technically overload or disrupt the platform,
    • circumvent suspended accounts by creating new accounts.

    Secure Transmission

    Landlords and property managers may not pressure apartment seekers to submit sensitive documents outside of the designated CHflat functions via private e-mail addresses, messenger services, or other insecure transmission channels.

    8. Requirements for Advertisements

    Users may only advertise rental properties for which they have the authorization to publish.

    Advertisements must be:

    • truthful,
    • up-to-date,
    • understandable,
    • lawful,
    • non-misleading.

    In particular, essential information such as rental price, location, property type, availability, and special conditions must be stated correctly.

    CHflat may review, restrict, deactivate, or remove advertisements without prior notice, particularly if they:

    • are false or misleading,
    • have been published twice,
    • are no longer up-to-date,
    • violate laws or these Terms of Use,
    • contain discriminatory or immoral content,
    • infringe upon copyrights or other third-party rights,
    • are recognizable as spam or test advertisements,
    • give rise to suspicion of fraud or abuse,
    • were published without sufficient authorization.

    Violations and Monitoring

    In the event of repeated or serious violations, CHflat may temporarily or permanently suspend the user account.

    CHflat is not obligated to fully monitor advertisements prior to their publication.

    9. Tenant Profiles and Applications

    Apartment seekers are responsible for ensuring that the information and documents provided by them are correct, up-to-date, and complete.

    Profiles and applications may not contain:

    • falsified information,
    • manipulated evidence,
    • documents used without authorization,
    • unlawful content,
    • data of uninvolved persons without sufficient authorization.

    Information regarding Third Parties

    Information concerning roommates, family members, reference persons, or other third parties may only be transmitted if the data subject has been informed thereof and the transmission is permissible.

    CHflat does not guarantee that a profile or an application will be reviewed, answered, or considered by a landlord.

    10. Uploaded Documents

    Apartment seekers may voluntarily upload application documents, in particular:

    • identity documents,
    • debt enforcement extracts (Betreibungsauszüge),
    • proof of income,
    • employment contracts,
    • references,
    • proof of insurance,
    • letters of motivation,
    • motivation videos,
    • other application documents.

    Release and Revocation

    Users decide within the scope of the provided functions which documents they upload and to which counterparty they release them.

    Documents generally only become accessible following an express release for a specific landlord or a specific application.

    Users may revoke a release within the platform. However, a revocation cannot technically automatically retrieve copies that have already been downloaded, printed, or otherwise lawfully stored.

    Users should only upload documents that are necessary for the specific apartment search. Information that is not required may be redacted, insofar as this is permissible.

    Further details are set out in the Privacy Policy.

    11. Obligations of Recipients of Application Documents

    Landlords, owners, and property managers may use received personal data and application documents exclusively for the review and processing of the specific apartment application.

    Use for other purposes is prohibited.

    In particular, the following are prohibited:

    • disclosure to unauthorized third parties,
    • publication of documents,
    • use for advertising,
    • creation of unrelated personality profiles,
    • use for other rental properties without a sufficient basis,
    • use for private or commercial secondary purposes.

    Retention and Deletion

    The downloading, storage, or printing of documents is only permitted to the extent necessary for the specific application review. For downloaded, stored, or printed documents, the same confidentiality, security, and deletion obligations apply as within the platform.

    Recipients must delete or destroy application documents in accordance with data protection regulations as soon as they are no longer required for the rental process, generally no later than three months after the conclusion of the relevant rental process, unless a statutory obligation or another permissible legal basis justifies longer retention.

    If a lease agreement is concluded, only such data as is necessary for the tenancy or statutory obligations may continue to be retained.

    12. Communication between Users

    Communication functions may be used exclusively for platform-related and lawful purposes.

    In particular, users may not send:

    • unsolicited advertising,
    • chain messages,
    • fraudulent payment requests,
    • insulting or threatening messages,
    • discriminatory content,
    • malware or suspicious links.

    Reporting Abuse

    CHflat may, in the event of specific suspicion of abuse and within the legally permissible framework, examine, secure, or transfer necessary information to the competent authorities.

    Users should report suspicious listings, messages, or payment requests immediately to info@chflat.ch.

    13. AI Functions

    CHflat may provide AI-supported functions, in particular for:

    • motivation letters,
    • listing texts,
    • news or blog drafts,
    • property information,
    • chat functions,
    • summaries,
    • translations,
    • voice and audio output.

    AI-generated content may be erroneous, incomplete, outdated, unsuitable, or misleading.

    Responsibility for AI Results

    Users are obliged to independently verify and, if necessary, adapt AI results prior to publication, transmission, or any other use.

    In particular, AI outputs do not constitute:

    • legal advice,
    • tax advice,
    • financial advice,
    • real estate advice,
    • binding valuation,
    • official or professional information.

    Users may not create illegal content via AI functions nor input confidential or particularly sensitive data, unless this is explicitly intended for the function in question.

    AI Liability

    CHflat Association assumes no liability for the accuracy or suitability of AI-generated content.

    14. News, Blog, and Information Section

    Contributions in the news, blog, or information section serve exclusively for general informational purposes.

    In particular, they do not constitute:

    • legal advice,
    • financial advice,
    • tax advice,
    • investment advice,
    • real estate advice,
    • individual recommendation.

    Timeliness and Forecasts

    Despite careful processing, information may be incomplete, simplified, erroneous, or no longer up to date.

    A suitably qualified professional must be consulted for decisions in individual cases.

    CHflat Association provides no guarantee that forecasts, market assessments, or presented developments will actually occur.

    15. User Content and Third-Party Rights

    User content shall include, in particular:

    • Advertisements,
    • Images,
    • Videos,
    • Texts,
    • Documents,
    • Messages,
    • Reviews,
    • Profile details.

    Responsibility and Rights of Use

    Responsibility for user content lies exclusively with the respective user.

    Users confirm that they possess all rights and authorizations required for uploading and using their content.

    In particular, no images, texts, floor plans, trademarks, or other works may be used if third-party rights are violated thereby.

    For the duration and purpose of the platform usage, users grant CHflat a simple, non-exclusive, geographically necessary, and royalty-free right of use, insofar as this is necessary for:

    • Storage,
    • Technical processing,
    • Display,
    • Transmission,
    • Backup,
    • Provision of platform functions

    is required. CHflat does not adopt user content as its own and is not obliged to pre-screen all content.

    16. Intellectual Property of CHflat

    Unless otherwise indicated, all rights to the platform and its own content belong to CHflat or the respective licensors.

    This pertains in particular to:

    • Software,
    • Source code,
    • Database structures,
    • Design,
    • Logos,
    • Trademarks,
    • Texts,
    • Graphics,
    • User interfaces,
    • Own editorial content.

    Rights of Use

    Users are granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, and non-transferable right to use the platform in accordance with its intended purpose.

    Any reproduction, editing, distribution, commercial use, or technical replication is prohibited without prior consent.

    17. Administrator Access and Security Measures

    Users acknowledge that authorized CHflat administrators may access account data, profile data, and documents to the extent necessary, particularly when required for:

    • technical support,
    • troubleshooting,
    • security audits,
    • abuse prevention,
    • fraud prevention,
    • enforcement of these Terms of Use,
    • compliance with legal obligations.

    No routine access to private documents shall take place.

    Audit Log and Security

    Administrative access to specially protected data is recorded in an audit log, insofar as technically provided for.

    CHflat may use technical identifiers, security protocols, and access information for abuse prevention, and may implement appropriate IP, session, account, or device blocks.

    Further details regarding data processing and access rights are contained in the Privacy Policy.

    18. Service and Marketing Communications

    CHflat may send users necessary or platform-related communications, in particular:

    • login codes,
    • application and contact notifications,
    • security notices,
    • maintenance information,
    • information regarding new or modified functions,
    • notices of changes to the Terms of Use or Privacy Policy,
    • communications regarding the user account.

    Such communications may be required for the use of the platform and cannot always be unsubscribed from.

    Advertising and Newsletter

    Third-party advertising will not be sent without a corresponding legal basis.

    Voluntary marketing emails or newsletters will only be sent with separate consent. Such consent may be revoked at any time with effect for the future.

    19. External Service Providers and Links

    For certain functions, CHflat may utilize external service providers, in particular for:

    • Hosting,
    • Authentication,
    • Data storage,
    • E-mail dispatch,
    • Payment processing,
    • AI functions,
    • Language generation,
    • External login procedures.

    For external services, their own terms and conditions and privacy policies may apply additionally.

    External Links

    The platform may contain links to third-party websites or offers. CHflat has no influence over their content, availability, or data processing and assumes no responsibility for them.

    20. Availability and Maintenance

    CHflat endeavors to ensure the highest possible availability and secure operation of the platform.

    However, uninterrupted, error-free, or anytime available operation is not guaranteed.

    In particular, the following circumstances may lead to temporary restrictions:

    • Maintenance work,
    • Technical malfunctions,
    • Security incidents,
    • Service provider failures,
    • Internet or network outages,
    • Official measures,
    • Force majeure,
    • Cyberattacks,
    • Necessary system changes.

    CHflat may temporarily restrict access to the platform if this is necessary for security, maintenance, or troubleshooting.

    21. Suspension, Restriction, and Deletion by CHflat

    CHflat may temporarily or permanently restrict, suspend, or delete accounts, listings, content, or individual functions, in particular in the event of:

    • Violation of these Terms of Use,
    • Unlawful content,
    • Suspicion of fraud or abuse,
    • Identity theft,
    • Forged documents,
    • Ghost or test listings,
    • Multiple accounts,
    • Circumvention of an existing suspension,
    • Danger to other users or the platform,
    • Failure to cooperate in a required verification,
    • Official or legal obligation.

    Procedure for Suspensions

    In the event of minor violations, CHflat may initially issue a warning. In serious or urgent cases, immediate suspension without prior notice is permitted.

    Insofar as security, investigative, or abuse prevention measures are not compromised thereby, CHflat may inform the affected user of the reason.

    A justified suspension or deletion shall not give rise to any claim for damages.

    22. Termination and Account Deletion by the User

    Users may have their account deleted at any time via the Privacy Center.

    Upon receipt of the deletion request, a waiting period of 30 days generally applies. During this period, the request may be revoked.

    Upon expiry of the waiting period, the affected data shall be deleted or anonymized, provided that:

    • no statutory retention obligations exist,
    • no legal proceedings are pending,
    • no legal hold has been set,
    • no overriding legitimate interests require limited further storage.

    Accounting, payment, and other data subject to statutory retention requirements may remain stored for the statutory duration.

    23. Liability of CHflat

    The platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis.

    CHflat shall not be liable for:

    • user content,
    • advertisements,
    • messages,
    • the authenticity or completeness of documents,
    • the identity or reliability of users,
    • the conduct of tenants, landlords, or third parties,
    • the conclusion or failure of a lease agreement,
    • damages arising from viewings or tenancies,
    • payments between users,
    • decisions based on AI outputs or editorial content,
    • temporary outages or data transmission disruptions,
    • external services or linked websites.

    Duty of Care and Scope of Liability

    Users are solely responsible for appropriately verifying persons, objects, contracts, payment requests, and documents before making any legally or economically significant decision.

    To the extent permitted by law, CHflat shall only be liable for damages caused by the intentional or grossly negligent conduct of CHflat.

    Liability for slight negligence, indirect damages, consequential damages, lost profits, loss of data, and pure economic loss is excluded to the extent permitted by law.

    Mandatory statutory liability provisions remain reserved.

    24. Liability and Indemnification by Users

    Users shall be liable for damages culpably caused to CHflat or third parties through unlawful conduct or conduct in breach of contract.

    To the extent permitted by law, users shall indemnify and hold CHflat harmless against justified claims by third parties arising in particular from:

    • unlawful user content,
    • infringements of copyrights, trademarks, or personality rights,
    • inadmissible processing of personal data,
    • fraudulent advertisements,
    • forged documents,
    • unauthorized publication of a rental property,
    • other violations of these Terms of Use.

    25. Data Protection

    The processing of personal data is governed by the currently applicable Privacy Policy of CHflat.

    This policy provides information in particular regarding:

    • processed data categories,
    • purposes of processing,
    • recipients and service providers,
    • AI services,
    • administrator access,
    • security measures,
    • retention periods,
    • account deletion,
    • rights of data subjects.

    Users are obliged to process the personal data of other persons only lawfully and for specific purposes.

    26. Amendments to the Terms of Use

    CHflat may adapt these Terms of Use, particularly in the event of:

    • changes in legislation,
    • security requirements,
    • technical developments,
    • new or modified functions,
    • organizational changes.

    Material changes shall generally be communicated to registered users by e-mail or within the platform at least 30 days before they take effect.

    Exceptions and Objection

    Amendments required due to mandatory legal requirements, security risks, or immediate measures related to abuse may be made without compliance with this notice period.

    Users who do not agree with a material change may delete their account before the change takes effect.

    27. Severability

    Should any provision of these Terms of Use be or become invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected thereby.

    The invalid provision shall, to the extent permitted by law, be replaced by a provision that comes as close as possible to its economic and legal purpose.

    28. Dispute Resolution

    In the event of disagreements, CHflat and the user concerned shall first endeavor to reach an amicable solution.

    Inquiries or complaints may be sent to the following address:

    info@chflat.ch

    The parties may, by mutual agreement, conduct suitable mediation or other out-of-court dispute resolution.

    The right to appeal to a competent court remains possible at any time.

    29. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

    Swiss law shall apply, excluding its conflict-of-law provisions and the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).

    To the extent permitted by law, the place of jurisdiction shall be the registered office of the CHflat Association.

    Mandatory legal venues, in particular for the benefit of consumers, remain reserved.

    30. Contact

    If you have any questions regarding these Terms of Use, please contact:

    CHflat Association Switzerland

    E-mail: info@chflat.ch