For an 81-year-old Geneva resident,simply entering and exiting her apartment building has become a daily struggle,highlighting a growing challenge for Switzerland’s aging population. Sylvia*, a long-time tenant, faces multiple barriers due to the building’s age and lack of accessibility features, a situation her family is attempting to remedy through building management. The case raises critical questions about the financial obligation for retrofitting older buildings to accommodate the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities, as current Swiss law places the onus-and the potentially important costs-on tenants rather than landlords.
For Sylvia*, an 81-year-old resident of Geneva, simply leaving her home or accessing her building presents a significant challenge. The building, located in the city of Geneva, is an older structure. “To get back inside, she has to step up onto a curb, hold open a heavy metal door while maneuvering her walker through it. Then, she has to climb another six to eight steps to reach the elevator,” explains her daughter, Cathy*, as her mother demonstrates the difficulty.
The family has contacted the building management company requesting the installation of ramps or an automated door system. This request is supported by Sylvia’s occupational therapist and a petition signed by several tenants. “The SPG (a private property management company) asked us to obtain quotes,” Cathy adds.
Costs Fall to the Tenant
According to the quotes received, a ramp would cost approximately 1,460 Swiss francs, door automation between 3,900 and 5,600 francs, and a platform lift between 12,500 and 25,000 francs. With the assistance of ProSenectute, financial aid was requested from the management company, but the request was denied. “They agree the modifications are needed, but only if my mother covers the full cost, and the improvements must be removed when she moves out.”
Caroline Pinatel, director of the property management department, confirmed this position. “There is no legal obligation for landlords to adapt older buildings to meet current standards, which isn’t always technically feasible. When it comes to individual requests, the tenant is responsible for the process and the payment. Sometimes, they may receive financial assistance from insurance or an association, as is the case here. In certain situations, such as housing cooperatives, the cooperative may decide to cover the costs.”
No Legal Requirement for Older Buildings
Legally, property management companies are not required to make accessibility modifications or even permit them. Cathy discovered this during her research: “New constructions must guarantee access for people with reduced mobility, but there is no such obligation for older buildings.” This is in line with the Swiss Disability Equality Act (LHand).
According to Christian Dandrès, a national councilor and lawyer with Asloca, this issue disproportionately affects those living in older buildings. He explains that “tenancy law does not guarantee the right of access. The same applies to a bathtub that a tenant can no longer use due to age. Any modifications are at the landlord’s discretion.”
An exception exists in the case of major renovation work. “In that case, the modifications are covered, provided the cost-benefit ratio is justified.” Dandrès also notes that the LHand is currently under revision. “The counter-proposal to the inclusion initiative incorporates the component of housing.”
Cathy believes it’s time for a change, “especially now that there is a shortage of spaces in assisted living facilities and we are trying to prioritize allowing people to remain in their homes.” Her mother agrees: “I’ve lived here for 30 years. I have no desire to move.”
* Pseudonym
Seniors Prioritize Aging in Place
The issue of accessibility is gaining prominence, as highlighted in a September 2024 report by the Geneva Seniors Network platform. Former State Councilor Antonio Hodgers, in the report’s foreword on “Senior Accessibility in Geneva,” summarized the challenges: “By 2040, residents over 65 will represent nearly a quarter of the population of Geneva.” This underscores “the importance of implementing public policies to… promote access to housing adapted to the needs of seniors.”
The desire to remain at home is strong, as noted by Laurent Beausoleil, the report’s author. “The vast majority of seniors want to live at home for as long as possible.” He continues: “Housing is a scarce resource, as are places in medical-social facilities. By 2030, Geneva will need 500 additional beds in assisted living facilities.” Adapting existing housing stock is therefore crucial. “According to the Federal Office of Statistics, only 7% of homes built in Switzerland between 1961 and 2005 have been renovated or transformed to be barrier-free or adaptable.”
Geneva – An 81-year-old woman’s struggle to navigate her apartment building is highlighting a growing accessibility gap for seniors in Switzerland. Sylvia*, a resident of Geneva, faces significant challenges simply entering and exiting her building due to its age and lack of modern accessibility features.
According to her daughter, Cathy*, Sylvia must manage a step, a heavy metal door, and an additional six to eight steps before reaching the elevator with her walker. The family has petitioned the building’s management company, SPG, to install ramps or automate the door, receiving support from Sylvia’s occupational therapist and fellow tenants. However, the SPG has stipulated that any modifications would be at Sylvia’s expense and must be removed upon her departure.
The estimated costs for potential solutions are substantial: 1,460 Swiss francs for a ramp, 3,900 to 5,600 francs for door automation, and 12,500 to 25,000 francs for a platform lift. Despite seeking financial assistance through ProSenectute, the request was denied. This situation underscores a broader issue: Swiss law currently places the financial burden of accessibility modifications in older buildings on tenants, not landlords.
Caroline Pinatel, director of SPG’s property management department, explained that there is no legal obligation to retrofit older buildings to meet current accessibility standards. “There is no legal obligation for landlords to adapt older buildings to meet current standards, which isn’t always technically feasible. When it comes to individual requests, the tenant is responsible for the process and the payment,” Pinatel stated.
Legal experts confirm that while new construction must adhere to accessibility guidelines, older buildings are exempt. Christian Dandrès, a national councilor and lawyer with Asloca, noted that tenancy law doesn’t guarantee access rights, even for essential features like bathrooms. However, a revision of the Swiss Disability Equality Act (LHand) is underway, potentially addressing this disparity and incorporating housing accessibility provisions.
The case highlights the increasing need for accessible housing as Switzerland’s senior population grows. A recent report by the Geneva Seniors Network platform emphasizes the importance of public policies to support aging in place, particularly as demand for assisted living facilities rises. With limited housing options and a growing elderly population, adapting existing structures is becoming increasingly critical to ensure seniors can maintain their independence and quality of life.
