Home ownership remains a sensitive issue when it comes to passing property down through the family
A study by Raiffeisen Switzerland has examined the process of transferring home ownership in Switzerland. Transfers within the family remain highly valued, but are not without their conflicts. Seeking advice at an early stage can make the decision-making process easier.
According to a press release, a representative survey by Raiffeisen Switzerland shows that passing on home ownership within the family remains the preferred option. Alongside emotional factors, financial considerations also play a key role.
Almost half of those surveyed cite financial support for their children as the main motivation. However, the willingness to take over the property is less pronounced: whilst 85 per cent of homeowners with adult children can envisage passing on their property, only around half of the potential successors feel the same. Reasons for this include an unsuitable location for the property or the fact that they already own a home.
Conflicts are common in the transfer process, but usually remain moderate. Around 80 per cent of those transferring the property, about half of those taking it over, and two-thirds of siblings report disputes. These mainly revolve around the property price, its condition or the timing of the transfer. Compensation payments also lead to tensions – around 30 per cent of those taking over the property who have siblings cite this as a point of contention.
According to Raiffeisen, a key reason for conflicts is a lack of knowledge: 40 per cent of the Swiss resident population feel inadequately informed about issues relating to the transfer of residential property. Whilst many families do seek external experts, around a quarter of those transferring ownership state that they did so too late. “Those who plan early, communicate openly and seek professional support lay the foundations for a fair solution whilst preserving family cohesion,” says Christian Rehefeldt, co-head of the Inheritance Advice Centre at Raiffeisen Switzerland.