The smart alternative to a deposit account – more financial freedom for you.
Rental deposit: insure instead of freezing at the bank
With the deposit-free rental deposit from goCaution, you keep your financial flexibility. Instead of depositing several thousand francs into a blocked account, you simply pay an annual premium and keep your money for more important expenses (e.g. moving costs or furnishing).
goCaution offers a modern alternative to the traditional cash deposit: ProTect Insurance acts as guarantor directly towards the landlord, in a secure, transparent, and simple manner. You protect your landlord as usual, without tying up your liquidity.
Rental deposit for properties in Switzerland
When you deposit money into a rental deposit account, that money often remains frozen until you leave your home – capital you could put to better use elsewhere. With goCaution and ProTect Insurance, you choose a smart alternative: your landlord receives a guarantee certificate offering the same security, while you can freely use your capital.
How the rental deposit works
Paying a cash deposit is a thing of the past
For tenants, paying the security deposit can be financially challenging, as it must be paid to the landlord at the same time as the first month's rent, even before moving in. The deposit from the previous home is also still frozen, which is why this is referred to as a double burden. goCaution helps tenants by eliminating the need for a bank deposit, giving them greater financial flexibility.
After taking out the rental deposit insurance and paying a moderate annual premium, the landlord receives a surety certificate that fully guarantees the rental deposit. The surety bond meets all legal requirements in Switzerland and offers the same legal security as a traditional security deposit.
goCaution can be used in three ways:
- For a new rental agreement
- To release a bank deposit
- When switching providers
Benefits of goCaution
Small premium, great freedom
For tenants, paying the security deposit can be financially challenging, as it must be paid to the landlord before moving in, at the same time as the first month's rent. On top of that, the security deposit from the previous home is still frozen, which is why this is called a double burden. goCaution helps tenants by eliminating the need for a cash deposit, giving them greater financial flexibility.
Benefits of goCaution
- Affordable premium with no extra fees
- No administrative or balance fees
- Customer-friendly insurance conditions
- Fast and simple processes at every stage
- First-class customer service
- Ranked 1st in the « Top Insurance 2025 » ranking
Rent without a deposit. At any time!
The goCaution rental deposit insurance, offered in collaboration with ProTect Insurance, is versatile. Whether you are searching for an apartment, have already found one, or want to recover your previously frozen bank deposit, you are in the right place. With our free preliminary confirmation, we even offer apartment seekers the opportunity to strengthen their application.
No more double burden
Especially when moving, rental deposit insurance relieves tenants, as they do not need to make a new deposit while the deposit from their previous home is still frozen.
Advantages of goCaution
- Affordable annual premium from CHF 94.50
- No administration fees
- Fast and simple processes
- First-class customer service
Set up your rental deposit in just a few minutes
With this modern rental deposit solution, you no longer need to make a traditional security deposit. Your money is not frozen for years but remains available to you at all times for important purchases or personal projects.
Apply online
With our online registration portal, you can register your rental property in just a few minutes, without tedious paperwork.
Application review
After your registration, we review your application and open your rental deposit. You will be notified immediately.
Premium payment
To activate the rental deposit policy, you need to pay the first annual premium. You can pay online or via a QR invoice.
Surety certificate
Once your payment is received, your landlord receives the certificate directly from us.
Cancellation of the rental deposit by tenant and landlord
Just as with a traditional security deposit, the release of the rental deposit requires the agreement of both parties, namely the tenant and the landlord. The rental deposit insurance offers all parties the same protection and conditions as a traditional deposit account and meets the legal requirements pursuant to Art. 257e CO.
Release of the rental deposit by the landlord
If the landlord has no claims after the return of the property, they are obliged to release the rental deposit insurance for the tenant. A written notification by email or post confirming that the insurance is released from its surety obligation is sufficient. In practice, the existing surety certificate is usually filled in, signed and sent to goCaution by email.
Landlords who use our landlord portal can complete this process conveniently and entirely digitally. Any physical surety certificate can be discarded.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Switzerland, the rental deposit for private residential properties is legally limited to a maximum of three months' gross rent (including utilities). A higher demand from the landlord would be invalid. For commercial premises, there is no legal upper limit. However, the amount should be reasonable. Six months' rent is common. The financial stability and creditworthiness of the company are decisive factors.
The deposit serves the landlord as a security guarantee for all claims arising from the tenancy. These primarily include:
- Outstanding rent or utility payments.
- Costs for repairing damage to the rental property beyond normal wear and tear.
In Switzerland, tenants and landlords mainly have three common methods available to provide the security required by law (Art. 257e CO):
| Type of deposit | How it works | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Deposit account (cash deposit) | The tenant pays the full deposit amount into a special blocked account at a bank, held in the tenant's name. | The tenant's money is frozen and is only released at the end of the tenancy. |
| 2. Rental deposit insurance | An insurance company acts as guarantor for the tenant and guarantees the deposit amount to the landlord. | The tenant does not need to block any capital, but pays an annual premium to the guarantor instead. |
| 3. Bank guarantee | Similar to a surety bond, a bank guarantees payment of the deposit amount to the landlord if there are legitimate claims. | The tenant does not need to pay the money directly, but usually pays annual fees to the bank. |
The traditional method requires the rental deposit to be placed in a special deposit account at a bank, held in the tenant's name. This account is separate from the landlord's assets and protects the money in the event of insolvency.
Important notes:
- The interest earned on the deposit belongs to the tenant.
- The landlord must invest the money separately from their own assets.
- After the tenant moves out, the landlord generally has one year to assert claims before the deposit must be fully repaid.
Alternative to the traditional deposit: Instead of a cash sum, tenants can take out rental deposit insurance. The insurance company then acts as guarantor towards the landlord. This means the deposit does not need to be paid directly and the money remains freely available.
Advantages of rental deposit insurance:
- Liquidity: The tenant does not need to raise the full deposit amount at once and retains their liquidity.
- Cost: The insurance costs a premium, which is usually a certain percentage of the deposit amount.
The rental deposit is a prerequisite for the start of the tenancy. As a rule, every lease requires the deposit to be paid before the key handover. Landlords can withdraw from the lease if payment is not made on time.
The goCaution solution is often faster than a bank, as the certificate can be issued shortly after application and premium payment.
Instalment payment: If the budget is tight, an instalment plan for the deposit can be agreed with the landlord.
After the end of the tenancy, the landlord must return the deposit including interest, once all claims (e.g. for damage or rent arrears) have been settled. There is a legal deadline of twelve months within which the repayment must be made at the latest. In the event of disputes over claims, the landlord must first obtain a legally binding agreement or a payment order.
No, offsetting the deposit against the last month's rent is legally not permitted. The rental deposit serves exclusively as security for any claims the landlord may have after the end of the tenancy and may not be used to pay ongoing rent.
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