Inherited a house or apartment: What to do when you have inherited a property?
Anyone who inherits a property will be faced with many questions. One of the first to be addressed is: What is the property worth? The market value is the most important piece of information needed to make all other decisions concerning the inheritance - whether the apartment or house should be kept, whether the other heirs should be bought out or whether the property should be sold. We will support you with a free valuation and advise you on what to do next with no obligations.
What you need to know about communities of joint heirs
Communities of joint heirs are considered a provisional solution. There will be many risks, especially when a property forms part of the estate. This does not need to result in an inheritance dispute. Refurbishments may be necessary, the composition of the inheritance may change, an heir residing abroad will complicate matters further. Therefore, the swift and fair division of the estate is ultimately the aim of any community of joint heirs. Selling at current market price is frequently the best solution for everyone.
Inheritance and real estate gains: What taxes will arise?
To avoid any financial issues, the tax consequences of an inheritance as well as a possible division of the estate ought to be known. The real estate capital gains tax is mostly deferred on inheritance of property within the family and only paid later upon sale. That can disadvantage the heir who takes on the property. We can provide valuable tips on tax-related questions and professional advice on request.
Documents and links
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The larger our community of joint heirs became, the more difficult it was to reconcile the various desires and needs of the individual heirs.
Hans Wüthrich and Beatrice Hediger Wüthrich Heirs and sellers of a property
Walde success stories
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What costs could arise if I inherit a property?
If you inherit a property, in addition to taxes (inheritance tax, real estate capital gains tax if the property is sold), you should also keep in mind the costs of the property itself: mortgage interest rates, mortgage repayments due, urgent renovations and regular maintenance costs and utilities, e.g. heating, water, possible garden maintenance, insurance costs, as well as fees and taxes to the canton or municipality.
What taxes arise if I inherit a property?
In nearly every canton in Switzerland, there is an inheritance tax. This will be based on the degree of kinship with the deceased and the value of the inherited property. In most cantons, spouses, direct descendants and usually registered civil partners and foster children too are exempt from inheritance tax. If not, the amount of tax due varies based on the degree of kinship with the deceased. In essence, the more distant the relationship, the higher the tax.
When can I sell a property I have inherited?
In practice, it is important that you are able to present the certificate of inheritance as evidence in advance. If you are the sole beneficiary, you can sell a property at any point. If there are several beneficiaries (community of heirs), all beneficiaries must agree to a sale, as all decisions require unanimity until the division of the estate has been completed.
What taxes arise if I sell a property I have inherited?
When you sell a property in Switzerland, there is a real estate capital gains tax and, in some cantons, also a real estate transfer tax (a tax levied on the value of property). This is not the case if a property is sold within a community of heirs. These taxes arise when selling a property to non-beneficiaries. If you take on the property and occupy it for a period, then the amount of tax due on a later sale depends on the period of ownership: the longer it was occupied, the lower the tax rate.