Airbnb management for your flat in Zürich West?

Economically yes: the district draws a younger crowd that is out in the evenings, which produces good weekend occupancy. In practice with one caveat: that same crowd generates the complaints that lead to changes in house regulations. In 2019 the Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgericht) upheld a ban on short-term letting imposed by a condominium owners’ association (Stockwerkeigentümergemeinschaft) — the trigger was intensive use of communal areas by guests. In district 5 that is not a theoretical risk.

With a minimum length of stay, and that is more effective than any list of prohibitions. Someone booking three nights rarely comes to party. Add clear house rules in the listing — visible before booking, so a breach is provable — a maximum number of guests, and a check on every enquiry for purpose and party size. What we do not claim: that it can be prevented entirely. Booking platforms limit how strictly a host may select.

We advise against it. Instant booking is estimated to raise placement in search results by 15 to 25 per cent — a considerable advantage. But it removes the pre-check: you no longer see what someone is booking for. In a district with a nightlife crowd and sensitive neighbours, one complaint to the building management outweighs the placement gain.

City travellers, festival and club visitors, plus business travellers to firms in the district — the Prime Tower and Technopark generate demand of their own. That mix is economically favourable because it covers weekdays and weekends. But it requires guest selection that distinguishes between the groups.

Zurich West grew out of an industrial area, which is why mixed zones and zones with differing residential quotas (Wohnanteil) exist there. That can be more favourable than in purely residential zones — or not, depending on the address. Information from the building authority is particularly worthwhile here, because differences within a few streets can be considerable.