Struggles of Foreign Renters in Switzerland During Apartment Searches: Prejudice and Bias in the Swiss Housing Market
Swiss Apartment Hunting Woes: Foreign Names a Barrier
In the digital realm, where every ad is meant to be equal, one stumbles upon a peculiar realization - discrimination isn't always confined to the offline world. Take the case of rental platforms like Homegate and Immoscout24. Mojca Fuks, a spokesperson from the Swiss Marketplace Group, assures strict adherence to a no-discrimination policy. Yet, instances like these crop up.
This isn't an isolated occurrence. The Federal Housing Administration (FOH) has confirmed that apartment seekers with foreign names face fewer viewing opportunities than their Swiss counterparts, despite the law prohibiting discrimination based on nationality or ethnic origin.
Named and Shamed
Further backing the FOH's stand, recent studies show similar patterns. Researchers from the Universities of Geneva, Neuchâtel, and Lausanne conducted an experimental study on discrimination in the Swiss housing market. They discovered that applicants with Kosovar or Turkish names had fewer opportunities than non-foreign applicants.
When a Swiss media outlet exposed this discrepancy on March 5th, a reader confessed facing the same bias. Despite being born and raised in Switzerland, his foreign-sounding name often stands as an impassable hurdle during apartment applications. He recounted a recent rejection while a Swiss friend was offered the same apartment.
Unlawful Practices
Discrimination against foreigners (or those perceived as foreigners) violates Swiss law, encompassing housing, employment, and other aspects of life. Landlords and property management companies are bound by the constitutional prohibition of discrimination, implying they can't restrict advertisements to specific ethnic or national groups.
Should you find yourself a victim of such prejudice, you can file a complaint with the Federal Commission against Racism, providing any evidence, such as witness statements or other credible proof, that the refusal is indeed based on your national origin.
More Than a Problem
Global studies suggest that housing discrimination against people with foreign-sounding names is not an exception but a pervasive issue. In Switzerland, where migration and integration are ongoing challenges, such biases could theoretically surface. Victims can seek support from legal channels like the Swiss Federal Commission Against Racism, cantonal equality offices, NGOs like Humanrights.ch, and international frameworks that monitor Switzerland's compliance with housing-related human rights obligations. Embracing integrated approaches, such as anti-stigma initiatives and community-based support models, could help combat structural discrimination in housing access, aligning with broader European strategies.
- The law in Switzerland prohibits discrimination based on nationality or ethnic origin, yet instances of such discrimination persist, even on rental platforms like Homegate and Immoscout24.
- A recent study conducted by researchers from the Universities of Geneva, Neuchâtel, and Lausanne found that applicants with Kosovar or Turkish names had fewer opportunities in the Swiss housing market compared to non-foreign applicants.
- One reader confessed to experiencing this discrimination, revealing that his foreign-sounding name is often a barrier during apartment applications, even though he was born and raised in Switzerland.
- Victims of such discrimination can file a complaint with the Federal Commission against Racism, providing any evidence that the refusal is based on their national origin.
- This issue is not limited to Switzerland; global studies suggest housing discrimination against people with foreign-sounding names is pervasive.
- In addressing this issue, victims can seek support from legal channels like the Swiss Federal Commission Against Racism, cantonal equality offices, NGOs like Humanrights.ch, and international frameworks that monitor Switzerland's compliance with housing-related human rights obligations.
- Adopting integrated approaches, such as anti-stigma initiatives and community-based support models, could help combat structural discrimination in housing access, aligning with broader European strategies.
- In addition to housing woes, foreigners (or those perceived as foreigners) in Switzerland may face discrimination in other aspects of life, including employment, education, and relationships.
- Moreover, a discriminatory mindset might extend to other areas, such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, pets, travel, cars, and even casino-and-gambling or sports, thereby affecting one's lifestyle and overall well-being.
