Con...vivere, una guida al buon vicinato

Introducing yourself. When you move to a new district or when a new neighbor moves into your area, introducing yourself is the best way to start a good neighborhood relationship. A warm welcome can be a great way to initiate a dialogue and share useful information about the district.

Informing the neighbors about any inconvenience caused by your arrival or departure is always a well-appreciated practice.

For everyone's good rest, respect the nighttime quiet hours between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

Avoid noisy activities during the afternoon rest period between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM and after 7:00 PM. On Saturdays before 9:00 AM, between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM, and after 6:00 PM. On Sundays and holidays, all day long. Examples of noisy activities include loud play by children, dogs barking, using gardening or DIY tools, and any other disturbing noise such as playing loud music or watching television at high volumes, car departures and parking maneuvers, speaking loudly on balconies or in common areas such as stairs or landings.

The crying of a baby is not considered excessive noise, but jumping, skating, or playing ball are not appropriate activities in an apartment. There are many other games, and children’s imagination is endless.

For events and parties, informing your neighbors in advance helps gain their consent. Inviting them for a toast might be well received.

If you intend to carry out noisy work, such as hammering or drilling to mount furniture or pictures, it is good practice to notify your neighbors and apologize in advance for the inconvenience and noise. However, it is not allowed to make modifications to rented apartments without prior written consent from the landlord.

Be mindful of noises that could be amplified on lower floors and therefore particularly annoying. It’s better to close doors and cabinets quietly, avoid dragging chairs or furniture, and refrain from wearing heels inside. A tip: felt pads under furniture legs can reduce noise from moving them, and carpets can absorb some of the sounds transmitted through the floor.

In many buildings, smoking is prohibited in hallways, elevators, and common areas. If you smoke at the window or on the balcony, make sure the smell does not disturb your neighbors, especially during the summer when windows are often open.

When grilling on the balcony or in the garden, ensure that your neighbors are not disturbed by the smells, smoke, or noise. Additionally, it is good practice not to grill too frequently. A tip: avoid charcoal grills, preferring electric grills (which should still be monitored to avoid fires).

Trash should not be left on the landing or in common areas (including cigarette butts and chewing gum). Those who use the balcony for waste sorting should ensure they do not cause unpleasant odors.

For waste collection, use the designated municipal bags and the correct containers for waste separation, sorting them according to their disposal or recycling methods. It is preferable to regularly visit the collection centers (ecocenters).

The landing must be kept clear: it should not be occupied with shoes, umbrellas, old furniture, strollers, or shopping carts. This not only facilitates cleaning of the common areas but also contributes to the sense of order in the building.
A tip: if the building does not have a designated space for strollers, you can ask the janitor or administration for one for personal use. Hanging clothes on the balcony or from windows facing the main facades is often prohibited: it is better to hang them in the indoor and outdoor spaces designated for this purpose. Make sure to properly ventilate the rooms.

Laundry: The established schedules and shifts for using the laundry must be respected. The spaces must be tidied up, and the washing machine should be cleaned after every use.

Garden: The garden must be kept tidy, and the plants and greenery should be respected. The terrace or garden of your neighbor is exclusively for their use, whether they are the owner or a tenant. Crossing it is therefore prohibited.

Parking: Parking spaces reserved for visitors should not be occupied by tenants of the building. Disabled parking spaces are specially marked and are reserved exclusively for people with disabilities who have a valid permit. To avoid making it more difficult for your neighbor to maneuver, parked cars should not protrude from the designated space.

When moving or transporting furniture or bulky items, care must be taken to avoid damaging walls, stairs, elevators, or the building's finishes.

You must ask if pet ownership is allowed before moving in or getting a pet. In Switzerland, certain pets must be registered, require a microchip, and may be subject to a fee. You must also comply with regulations regarding the protection of different species (for example, the minimum space for the animal, feeding, and the possibility for socialization).

Pets should be trained to avoid any inconvenience (for example, continuous barking). The dog should not disturb public peace.

Dogs should be accompanied during their walks, kept on a leash, and not allowed to roam unsupervised in the building or on the balcony. Pet waste must always be collected and disposed of using appropriate bags. If the pet roams freely (for example, cats), make sure it does not soil common or private areas with its waste and train it to use the litter box.

Common areas should be kept clear (entrances, hallways, stairs, laundry rooms, cellars, courtyards, attics, garages, etc.) for safety and order.

Pots on the balcony should be securely fastened on the inner side to prevent any falling or splashing onto the balcony below when watering the plants.

Unusual noises should be paid attention to, especially when a neighbor is away. These could be signs of a theft or an incident. Suspicious behavior should be immediately reported by calling 117 (Cantonal Police).