Can an owner recover his contributions to the renewal fund when selling the apartment?

Whereabouts of fund deposits

No, an owner cannot reclaim their contributions to the renewal fund when selling. According to the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB), payments are inextricably linked to the share of co-ownership. The fund balance is automatically transferred to the buyer when sold. However, the seller can take into account the value of his share in the fund in the selling price or explicitly identify it as a value-increasing element in the purchase contract.

The legal nature of fund assets

Legally speaking, the Renewal Fund is a special fund owned by the condominium owners' association. As soon as a contribution flows from a private account to the fund's account, the individual owner loses direct control over it. From this point on, the money is tied to the value ratio of the apartment. It serves to ensure the long-term value of the entire property, regardless of who the current owner of the unit is.

Since the Fund ensures liquidity for future major restructuring, a repayment to departing members would jeopardize the financial stability of the Community. With the apartment, a buyer therefore not only acquires the premises, but also the “share of the piggy bank” of the house that has already been paid in. This automatic transfer of credit is firmly enshrined in law and cannot be amended individually for a seller even by decisions of the owners' meeting.

Strategic consideration in the purchase contract

Even if the community does not pay out the money, it is common practice in 2026 to make fund balances transparent during the sales process. In a professional sales dossier, the share of the renewal fund is explicitly shown. A well-filled fund is a massive advantage for the buyer, as it protects against future special contributions. This advantage can be incorporated directly into the selling price, so that the seller receives his contributions back indirectly through higher revenue.

In some purchase contracts, the share of the renewal fund is even listed separately, which may also be relevant for property gains tax. In some cantons, the portion of the purchase price attributable to the fund's assets is not counted as taxable profit, as it involves the transfer of liquid assets. A detailed review of local tax practice by an expert is essential in order to get the most out of sales revenue and not to pay any unnecessary duties.

Significance for financing the buyer

For the buyer, the share in the renewal fund represents valuable security. When granting mortgages in 2026, many banks take into account the level of the fund, as a low balance combined with a restructuring backlog represents a financial risk. A seller who can prove that the community has always invested in maintaining value in a disciplined manner increases the financial viability of his property for potential buyers. The balance in the fund is therefore a powerful selling point.

If, on the other hand, the fund is empty, the buyer must expect to be confronted with high costs shortly after collection. In such a case, the buyer will attempt to lower the price. The seller therefore pays either way: either he has paid into the fund over the years and “sold” this balance as well, or he has paid in too little and must now accept a price discount. In the Swiss real estate market, the principle of cost accuracy ensures that maintenance failures will sooner or later take revenge in the wallet.

Conclusion: Assets as part of real estate value

The contributions to the Renewal Fund are an investment in the substance that is not returned in cash upon sale. Rather, they are a value-adding feature that supports the market value of the apartment and ensures the transfer of maintenance obligations to the new owner.

In summary, anyone selling an apartment in 2026 should know exactly the status of their fund assets and actively incorporate this into the price negotiation. The fund is the financial backbone of the property and will remain so even if there is a change of ownership. Clean documentation of previous payments and planned restructuring is the key to fully exploiting the value of this “hidden reserve” when selling.

glossary

• Renewal fund: A joint savings account of condominium owners for future, costly renovation measures on the building envelope or technology.
• Value ratio: The share of an apartment in the total value of the property specified in the land register, which also determines the share of fund assets.
• Maintaining value: Building measures that serve to secure the current condition and market value of the property in the long term.
• Special fund: Assets legally separated from the owners' private assets, which may only be used for the purpose provided for in the regulations.
• property gains tax: A cantonal tax on the profit earned when selling a property, although maintenance contributions may be partially deductible.