After three houses in the “Sugus” complex became vacant, the concerns of the affected tenants remained high. However, after an information incident, some of them gained confidence.
December 17, 2024 18:03December 17, 2024 18:14
Tenant's terror
Even two weeks after the termination of contracts at three 'Sugus' houses was made public, tenants are still in shock.
For Felix Brunner, the termination was particularly harsh*. Just a year ago, the single father moved into the “Sugus” apartment with his elementary school-age daughter and teenage daughter. Four rooms, the rent is about 1,800 francs. As he said in his interview with Watson, for the self-employed, there is nothing more.
Brunner was one of 105 tenants who received termination notices in late March. In total, more than 200 people were affected.
Three of the nine “Sugus” houses will be completely renovated. All tenants who ended their leases were served with termination notices.Image: Watson
After the death of the famous building contractor Leopold Bachmann, the three “Sugus” houses were inherited by his daughter Regina. This autumn, they appointed Allgood Property AG as the new management body and later announced their termination.
The termination letter stated that the apartment was in poor condition and in need of complete renovation.
Termination letter received by the tenant.Image: zvg
Tenant and architect Jürg Fontana has a completely different view. Brenner was one of two tenants in the affected “Sugus” house who anonymously opened the door specifically for Watson and allowed Fontana to inspect their apartment. You can find out what the experts concluded in the video:
Video: Watson/Emanuella Kälin
Felix Brenner seemed tired during the conversation in his apartment. This is no coincidence.
Brenner and his ex-wife separated five years ago. Since 2008, the family has been living in an apartment directly opposite the “Sugus” house. Under the agreement, most of his daughters will live with him from now on. “So we started looking for apartments in 2018,” Brenner said.
he found A “nice, cheap apartment” in the 6th arrondissement. However, this was a “bad thing” for his daughters. The journey to school is too long, far away from my old neighbor, my mother, and my friends. Brenner had to take action.
A bird's eye view of the “Sugus” house.Image: trapezoid
Next new home is in 2019 A two-and-a-half-room apartment near Joseph Weiss. “It's small and expensive, but at least my girls are back in an environment they've known since birth.”
Six months later, Brenner had the opportunity to rent a larger, less expensive apartment from a friend nearby. However, this is really just one large room. Similar to an attic. This is not a living situation suitable for a family to live in long-term. Brenner said:
“When my eldest daughter hits puberty, she wants more privacy, which I totally understand.”
Felix Brenner*
In 2023, he was lucky enough to find a suitable apartment on Limmat Street. However, this is limited as major renovations are imminent. Twelve months later we were once again looking for a roof over our heads.
“I have written to the management of the ‘Sugus’ house several times over the years,” Brenner said. He always wanted to live there.
Termination is a problem at break
Last year, a savings call came out of nowhere; an apartment became vacant. He went to look at apartments with four other people, but unfortunately he had no luck and the apartment was given to someone else.
Evicted residents posted banners on their balconies to vent their frustrations. Image: Watson
Brenner despaired. He couldn't stay in Limmatstrasse much longer. The eldest daughter had suffered so severely that she had to seek psychological treatment.
Then came the second call. At the end of 2023, a four-bedroom apartment in the settlement “Sugus” became available within a short period of time. Brenner immediately moved in, relieved and ecstatic, and assured his daughters:
“That's the last move, we'll stay here until you grow up.”
Felix Brenner*
They treat the apartment as their home. The couch and piano came in, the family painted the walls, the mother was nearby, and “everything was perfect.”
A year later, a letter came from Allgood Property GmbH, the new management of the “Sugus” house. Core transformation. Terminates at the end of March. Brenner had reached the end of his rope, had spent countless sleepless nights, and no longer knew what to do next.
The merry-go-round of thoughts is spinning. If he had received the first apartment in the settlement, he would have been able to stay now. It belonged to the estate of one of Bachmann's two sons and was retained by the old, beloved administration. SIMO Immobilien GmbH confirms this on its website.
Brenner's daughters are also angry and sad. The oldest daughter's best friend lives in the same house as her family. Another friend cried all day after hearing the news about being fired. The termination of the “Sugus” houses even became an issue in surrounding school playgrounds.
“It feels unfair,” Brenner said frustratedly. Switzerland has determined that there will be no speculation in house buying, “but the reference rate system no longer seems to be working.”
“Perfect and absolutely fair”
Alexandra Stephen* was also frustrated. “This situation worries me very much,” she said as she gave Watson a tour of her apartment. “When the registered letter came, I thought about the rent increase previously announced by the new government, but not the termination of the contract.”
Three months before the termination, the new government introduced itself through this letter. and immediately announced a ten percent rent increase.Image: zvg
“So far, SIMO Immobilien GmbH has been responsible for the construction of the 'Sugus' houses,” says Alexandra Steffen. Everything is “perfect and absolutely fair”. «When I moved in seven years ago, I received a new dishwasher and washing machine. A few years later the refrigerator came along and the replacement was quick and easy. “
Stéphane paid 1,675 francs in rent for her three-and-a-half-bedroom apartment with scrubber. “It can be a bit noisy at times because of the railroad tracks, and it's also very hot in the summer. Other than that, there are no issues with the apartment.”
So she wasn't going to give up. Felix Brenner was also aggressive. For good reason.
hope
Customs will hold an information conference on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. Walter Angst, an expert from the Zurich Tenants Association, explains to affected tenants how they can contest the termination of their contracts and what further actions the Tenants Association plans to take against the “Sugus” houses. The former Alabama District Council also answered outstanding questions with attorneys.
Alexandra Steffen and Felix Brunner also attended the event. Brenner is right:
“We’re really seeing for the first time the scale of these layoffs. I almost feel sick. The room was packed with people and almost all the parties were there. An old man on crutches, a man in a wheelchair, and countless families with immigrant backgrounds. Many people face far greater difficulties than my daughters and I do. “
But the opportunity gave Brenner new hope. Anxiety and lawyers told those present that this could be a case of unfair dismissal and that they had the opportunity to stay in their flats. “They told us not to look for a new apartment just yet.”
Brenner slept more soundly for the first time in weeks. Now he's somewhat optimistic about the future. «I tried my best to find an apartment suitable for my children. If we have to leave here, we will all lose a piece of our country. “
Stephen also breathed a sigh of relief. “The information incident brought some hope.” Since moving in, it’s become clear to her:
“I want to live here forever.”
Alexandra Stephen*
Steph can ride her bike to her job, her friends live in the area, and she socializes with her neighbors.
“The 'Sugus' settlement is great, colorful and diverse,” Steffen said. “When the caretaker retired a few years ago, we raised a gift and organized a farewell party. Where else could you get this?”
*Name of known editor
