Building concierge services in French-speaking Switzerland: spotless common areas every day

The maintenance of a building’s common areas is a major concern for residents’ quality of life, the preservation of property value and compliance with the legal obligations of owners and co-owners. In French-speaking Switzerland, where rental housing accounts for over 60% of dwellings in some cantons, the cleanliness and proper upkeep of shared spaces are key factors in tenant satisfaction and resident retention.

At SOS Nettoyage, we are the specialist in building concierge services in French-speaking Switzerland. We provide complete maintenance of your common areas — from entrance halls to underground car parks, including stairways, cellars, laundry rooms and outdoor spaces. Property management agencies, co-ownership administrators, condominium (PPE) managers, private owners: request your free, no-obligation quote for a tailored concierge service.

Our building concierge services

Entrance hall and lobby cleaning

The entrance hall is your building’s calling card. It is the first space that residents see every day, along with visitors, delivery drivers and prospective tenants during viewings. A clean and well-maintained entrance hall communicates an image of collective well-being and serious management. Conversely, a neglected lobby — dull floors, dusty letterboxes, dirty glazing — creates an impression of carelessness that affects the overall perception of the building and, by extension, its rental value.

Our entrance hall maintenance includes:

Floor cleaning: sweeping, vacuuming and washing suited to the surface type (tiles, marble, natural stone, granite, polished concrete, linoleum).
Entrance door cleaning: glazing (interior and exterior), handles, intercoms, keypads, doorbell panels.
Dusting of furniture: benches, shelves, mail trays, notice boards, information panels.
Letterbox cleaning: fronts, top surfaces, surrounding area.
Light fixture maintenance: dusting of ceiling lights, wall sconces and motion detectors.
Mirror and interior glass surface cleaning.
Complete lift cleaning: cabin (floor, walls, mirror, buttons, ceiling), landing doors on every floor, visible rails.

Stairway and corridor cleaning

Stairways and corridors are the most heavily used circulation areas in a building. They accumulate dust, shoe marks, scuff marks and dirt from the daily transport of shopping, pushchairs, bicycles and various items. During rainy or snowy periods, moisture and mud build up particularly quickly.

Our stairway and corridor service includes:

Sweeping and washing of steps on every floor, including risers and stair nosings.
Handrail and banister cleaning: dusting, cleaning and regular disinfection.
Landing cleaning: floor, skirting boards, landing doors, communal doormats.
Window sill dusting in stairwells.
Window cleaning in stairwells (interior side and, periodically, accessible exterior side).
Radiator and ventilation grille cleaning.
Light fixture maintenance and reporting of faulty bulbs.
Removal of cobwebs from corners, ceilings and recesses.

Cellar, laundry room and utility room cleaning

Cellars, communal laundry rooms, utility rooms and bicycle storage rooms are often the neglected areas of routine maintenance, yet they are sensitive zones in terms of sanitation and safety (humidity, mould, pests, fire risk).

We provide:

Sweeping and cleaning of cellar corridors and passageways.
Communal laundry room cleaning: floor, accessible walls, worktops, wash basins, floor drains.
Dusting of utility rooms (boiler room, electrical room, meter room) — surface cleaning only, without intervention on technical installations.
Fire door and emergency exit cleaning.
Bicycle and pushchair storage room cleaning if the building has one.
Systematic reporting of anomalies: water leaks, pest presence, suspicious odours, faulty bulbs, installation damage.

Underground car park and garage cleaning

Underground car parks and communal garages quickly accumulate dirt: tyre dust, oil and coolant stains, dead leaves and debris brought in by vehicles, de-icing salt residue in winter, condensation and humidity. A poorly maintained car park generates dust that rises into living areas through stairwells and lift shafts.

Our car park maintenance includes:

Mechanical or manual sweeping of driving surfaces and parking spaces.
Pedestrian walkway cleaning and access routes between the car park and the building.
Access vestibule and connecting door cleaning.
Garage door cleaning (interior and exterior sides).
Dusting of visible overhead pipes and conduits.
Drain grille cleaning and verification of proper water flow.
Periodic high-pressure washing of floors (quarterly or biannually depending on need).
Bicycle parking area cleaning if located within the car park.

Waste room management and recycling

Waste management is an essential component of building concierge services in Switzerland. A poorly maintained waste room generates foul odours, attracts pests (rats, cockroaches, flies, wasps in summer) and creates tensions between residents. In Switzerland, waste sorting is regulated at the municipal level, and each commune has its own collection schedule and specific rules.

Our waste management services include:

Bringing bins out to the pavement according to the municipal collection schedule (household waste, paper/cardboard, glass, compost, aluminium/tin, PET, textiles depending on the commune).
Bringing bins back in after the collection service has passed.
Regular cleaning and disinfection of the waste room (floor, accessible walls, floor drain).
Bin washing with water and disinfectant, at a frequency adapted to the season (more frequent in summer).
Anti-odour treatment and preventive pest control if necessary, particularly during the summer months.
Monitoring of waste sorting and reporting of recurring violations to the property management agency or administrator.
Updating of sorting instructions posted in the waste room, in line with municipal changes.

Outdoor area and garden maintenance

The building surroundings directly contribute to its attractiveness and residents’ quality of life. A well-kept garden, clean pathways, maintained green spaces and clear access points enhance property value and create a pleasant living environment.

We offer:

Sweeping of pathways, pavements and pedestrian access adjacent to the building.
Dead leaf collection (particularly important in autumn) and miscellaneous litter removal (cigarette butts, paper, cans).
Green space maintenance: lawn mowing, hedge and shrub trimming, flower bed and pathway weeding, watering during dry periods.
Planter and flower box maintenance: watering, seasonal plant replacement.
Bench and outdoor furniture cleaning (tables, chairs, outdoor bins).
Playground cleaning if the building has one (checking cleanliness and safety of equipment).

Snow removal and winter maintenance

In Switzerland, clearing access routes of snow is a legal obligation for the owner or co-ownership. Swiss case law is clear: an accident on a snow-covered or icy pavement or access route can engage the civil liability of the owner (art. 58 CO and art. 679 CC). Compensation in the event of injury can be substantial. At SOS Nettoyage, we include snow removal in our concierge contracts to secure your access and protect you legally:

Snow clearing of pathways, pavements and access routes to the building, including garage ramps.
Preventive and curative salting of risk areas with salt or gravel as preferred.
Clearing of main and secondary entrances, car park access and letterboxes.
Rapid response from the first snowfall, according to a contractually defined threshold (generally from 2-3 cm of accumulation).
Frost condition monitoring and preventive salting on at-risk mornings, even without snowfall.

Who are our concierge services for?

Property management agencies

Property management agencies in French-speaking Switzerland — Naef Immobilier, SPG Intercity, Bernard Nicod, Régie du Rhône, Gérance immobilière, PRIVERA, Wincasa, Livit, and many others — manage portfolios of tens to hundreds of buildings. The quality of common area maintenance is a key factor for tenant satisfaction, turnover reduction and portfolio enhancement. A well-maintained building rents faster, retains tenants longer and generates fewer complaints.

SOS Nettoyage offers agencies framework contracts covering their entire property portfolio in French-speaking Switzerland, with standardised monthly reporting, a dedicated contact person for each portfolio and volume-based discounted rates.

Condominium associations (PPE) and co-ownerships

In a PPE (propriété par étages — condominium ownership), common area maintenance is a shared charge divided among co-owners in proportion to their ownership shares (thousandths). The co-owners’ assembly or the administrator appoints a concierge service provider for this maintenance. The budget must be approved at the assembly meeting, which requires full transparency regarding services and costs.

We work closely with PPE administrators and co-ownership committees to provide a service that complies with the rules of administration and use (RAU) of the condominium and the budget approved at the assembly. Our detailed specifications allow each co-owner to know exactly what is included in the package.

Property managers and building administrators

Professional property managers and building administrators look for reliable, responsive and transparent service providers who make day-to-day management easier. We offer them simplified management: one contract, one contact person, clear invoicing and documented quality monitoring. In the event of an issue reported by a resident or the agency, our response time is 24 hours maximum.

Private owners

Private owners who own one or more rental buildings often face the challenge of finding a reliable caretaker and managing this role directly (employment contract, holidays, sick leave, social insurance, replacement). Our professional concierge service offers them a turnkey solution without the constraints of staff management, with a predictable monthly flat rate and no surprises.

Types of concierge contracts

Full concierge contract

The full contract covers all services: interior common area cleaning (entrance hall, stairways, lift, corridors, cellars, laundry rooms), waste management, outdoor space maintenance, winter snow removal, minor routine maintenance and anomaly reporting. This is the most popular option among agencies and PPEs, as it offers total peace of mind.

Common area cleaning only contract

For co-ownerships that manage outdoor spaces and waste themselves (for example, through a volunteer co-owner or an independent gardener), we offer a contract limited to interior common area cleaning: entrance hall, stairways, corridors, landings, cellars, lift, laundry rooms.

Complementary seasonal contract

Certain services are inherently seasonal and can be covered by complementary contracts:

Winter package (November to March): snow removal and access salting, frost condition monitoring.
Summer package (April to October): green space maintenance, mowing, trimming, watering, leaf collection in autumn.
Spring deep clean: high-pressure floor washing outdoors, thorough cleaning of cellars and car parks, window cleaning of common areas.

One-off service

Outside of any contract, we can provide one-off services for specific needs: post-construction cleaning of common areas, post-disaster restoration (water damage, fire), deep cleaning before a co-owners’ assembly or a viewing for potential tenants, temporary replacement of an absent caretaker.

Recommended service frequencies

The frequency of service depends on the building size, the number of residents, foot traffic and the desired level of service. Here are our recommendations:

Service	Small building (2-6 apts.)	Medium building (7-20 apts.)	Large building (20+ apts.)
Entrance hall and stairway cleaning	1x/week	2-3x/week	Daily
Lift cleaning	1x/week	2-3x/week	Daily
Cellar and laundry room cleaning	1x/month	2x/month	1x/week
Underground car park cleaning	1x/month	2x/month	1x/week
Waste management	Per municipal schedule	Per municipal schedule	Per municipal schedule
Outdoor and garden maintenance	1x/week (in season)	1x/week	2x/week
Stairwell window washing	1x/quarter	1x/quarter	1x/month
High-pressure car park washing	1-2x/year	2-4x/year	4x/year

Building concierge rates in French-speaking Switzerland

Rates are calculated on a monthly flat-rate basis that depends on the building size, number of floors and apartments, services included and frequency of service.

Indicative monthly packages

Building type	Indicative monthly package
Small building (2-6 apartments, 2-3 floors)	500 – 900 CHF/month
Medium building (7-15 apartments, 4-6 floors)	900 – 1’600 CHF/month
Large building (16-30 apartments, 6-10 floors)	1’600 – 2’500 CHF/month
Very large building or residential complex (30+ apts.)	Custom quote

Supplements and complementary packages

Complementary service	Indicative price
Winter snow removal (seasonal package Nov.-Mar.)	200 – 600 CHF/month
Green space maintenance (seasonal package Apr.-Oct.)	200 – 800 CHF/month
High-pressure car park washing (per service)	300 – 800 CHF
Common area window cleaning (per service)	100 – 400 CHF
Bin washing and disinfection (per service)	50 – 150 CHF
Annual deep clean of common areas	500 – 2’000 CHF

These rates include labour, standard cleaning products and basic equipment. Specialised equipment (scrubber-dryer, high-pressure washer) and specific consumables may incur a supplement. Request your free, no-obligation quote for a price tailored to the exact characteristics of your building.

Cost per co-owner: a reasonable investment

As a concrete example, for a 12-apartment building with a monthly concierge package of 1’200 CHF/month, the charge per co-owner (equally divided) represents 100 CHF per month — approximately 3.30 CHF per day. This is a very reasonable amount for regular professional maintenance that preserves your property value and the daily comfort of residents.

PPE regulations and legal obligations in Switzerland

The legal framework for PPE

In Switzerland, condominium ownership (PPE) is governed by articles 712a to 712t of the Swiss Civil Code (CC). Common area maintenance is a collective obligation of co-owners, funded by ordinary common charges and, for major works, by the renovation fund.

The rules of administration and use (RAU) of each PPE specify the maintenance procedures, charge allocation and decision-making processes. The concierge mandate is generally approved by a simple majority at the ordinary co-owners’ assembly.

The building owner’s liability

Under Swiss law, article 58 of the Code of Obligations (CO) establishes the building owner’s liability for damage caused by a maintenance defect or construction fault. This liability is strict: the owner is liable even without personal fault. In practical terms, this means that:

An accident on the stairway caused by a slippery floor or faulty lighting can engage the co-ownership’s liability.
A fall on an icy, uncleared pavement can give rise to substantial compensation claims.
Damage caused to a third party by a maintenance defect (falling tile, overflowing gutter, breaking branch) is the owner’s responsibility.

A professional concierge contract with SOS Nettoyage allows you to document the regular maintenance of your building and build an evidence file in case of litigation. Our time-stamped service reports attest to the regularity and quality of the maintenance performed.

The obligation to clear snow

Snow clearing of access routes and pavements adjacent to a building is an obligation arising from the property owner’s liability (art. 679 CC) and municipal police regulations. In the event of an accident on an uncleared access route, the owner may be required to pay damages to the victim, including medical expenses, loss of earnings and pain and suffering. Amounts can reach tens of thousands of francs.

Delegating snow removal to SOS Nettoyage guarantees prompt, documented and compliant service, with a contractual commitment on response times.

Advantages of a professional concierge service vs. an employed caretaker

The traditional model of the resident caretaker — housed in a building apartment in exchange for services — is in sharp decline in French-speaking Switzerland. The reasons are numerous: high salary costs (salary + AVS/LPP/LAA social charges potentially exceeding 50’000 CHF/year), complex HR management (holidays, sick leave, replacement), lost rental income on the service apartment, variable service quality without formalised supervision.

Criterion	Employed caretaker	SOS Nettoyage
Annual cost	40’000 – 60’000 CHF + housing	Package tailored to the building
Holiday/sick leave replacement	To be organised by the owner	Guaranteed and included
Supervision and quality control	Limited, informal	Regular documented inspections
Equipment and products	To be provided by the owner	Supplied and included in the package
Flexibility	Rigid (employee working hours)	Adjustable to your needs
Legal liability	Employer = owner/PPE	SOS Nettoyage assumes liability
Liability insurance	To be taken out separately	Included in our service
Administrative management	Contract, payslips, declarations	Zero management for the client

Service Area

SOS Nettoyage provides building concierge services throughout French-speaking Switzerland:

Genève: City of Genève, Carouge, Lancy, Meyrin, Vernier, Grand-Saconnex, Onex, Thônex, Chêne-Bougeries and the entire canton.
Vaud: Lausanne, Morges, Nyon, Renens, Yverdon-les-Bains, Montreux, Vevey, Aigle, Ecublens, Bussigny and the entire canton.
Fribourg: Fribourg, Bulle, Villars-sur-Glâne, Givisiez and the greater area.
Neuchâtel: Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle and the entire canton.
Valais: Sion, Sierre, Martigny, Monthey, Viège and the French-speaking Valais.
Jura: Delémont, Porrentruy and the entire canton.

Also discover our office and commercial premises cleaning service for mixed-use buildings, our professional window cleaning for glass facades and our industrial cleaning service for utility rooms and large-scale car parks.

Why choose SOS Nettoyage for your building’s concierge service?

Concierge specialist in French-speaking Switzerland: in-depth knowledge of the local property market, agency expectations and PPE obligations.
Single dedicated contact person: an assigned sector manager for each building, reachable by phone and email.
Documented quality monitoring: regular unannounced inspections, detailed monthly reports, before/after photos on request.
Guaranteed replacement: if your assigned caretaker is absent (holidays, sick leave, training), a trained replacement ensures service continuity without interruption.
Responsiveness: 24-hour response time for standard requests, service within 2 hours for emergencies (water damage, urgent snow removal).
Price transparency: fixed monthly package, no hidden costs, clear and detailed invoicing for the co-owners’ assembly.
Professional liability insurance: comprehensive coverage of all risks related to our work in your building.
Eco-friendly products: we favour biodegradable and certified products with low environmental impact.
Free, no-obligation quote: building audit and personalised contract proposal at no cost.

FAQ — Building Concierge Services

What is the difference between a concierge service and simple common area cleaning?

A concierge service goes well beyond simple cleaning. It encompasses the complete maintenance of common areas (interior and exterior cleaning), waste management (bin handling, sorting, room cleaning), green space maintenance, winter snow removal, minor maintenance (bulb replacement, fault reporting) and general building surveillance (anomalies, damage, leaks). A professional caretaker is a true guardian of quality of life in the building.

How is the frequency of visits determined?

The frequency is defined during the free initial audit based on the building size, number of residents and floors, foot traffic, presence of a lift, car park size and the level of service desired by the client. It is recorded in the contractual specifications and can be adjusted during the contract if needs evolve (for example, increasing from weekly to twice-weekly if the number of tenants increases).

Who is responsible if an accident occurs in the common areas?

Under Swiss law, the building owner (art. 58 CO) is liable for damage caused by a maintenance defect or construction fault. In a PPE, it is the community of co-owners that collectively bears this responsibility. A professional concierge contract protects you by documenting regular maintenance and ensuring a level of cleanliness and safety that meets current standards.

Can you take over an existing concierge contract?

Yes, absolutely. If you are dissatisfied with your current provider or if your employed caretaker retires or resigns, we can take over the mandate. We carry out a complete initial audit of the building, establish new specifications and ensure a smooth transition within 2 to 4 weeks. In an emergency (sudden departure), we can set up a provisional service within 48 hours.

Is the caretaker always the same person?

Yes, wherever possible, we assign a dedicated caretaker to each building. This team member knows the building, its residents and its particularities, which ensures consistently high-quality service. In case of absence (holidays, training, illness), a trained replacement takes over following the same specifications.

Is snow removal included in the standard package?

Snow removal can be included in the annual global package or provided as a complementary seasonal package (November to March). The choice depends on your budget and the building’s location. In lowland regions (Genève, Lausanne, Neuchâtel), snow removal is less frequent than in higher-altitude areas (Valais, Jura, Pre-Alps). We systematically recommend including snow removal in the contract for legal protection of the owner.

How are replacements handled during holidays?

We have a trained and operational replacement team that takes over from the first day of the dedicated caretaker’s absence. Service continuity is contractually guaranteed: there is never an interruption of maintenance, regardless of the time of year. This is one of the major advantages of a professional provider compared to an employed caretaker.

Can you handle minor repairs and routine maintenance?

Yes. Our concierge service includes routine minor maintenance: replacing faulty bulbs, tightening door handles, lubricating locks and hinges, adjusting door closers, cleaning blocked ventilation grilles, reporting more significant repairs requiring a specialised tradesperson. For work beyond the scope of minor maintenance, we can coordinate the intervention of qualified tradespeople from our network (plumbers, electricians, locksmiths).

How does quality control work?

We carry out regular quality inspections — monthly or quarterly depending on the contract — during which a SOS Nettoyage supervisor inspects the building’s common areas using a standardised evaluation grid covering each zone (entrance hall, stairways, lift, cellars, car park, outdoor areas). Results are shared with the client (agency, administrator, PPE committee) in a documented quality report with photos.

What is the contract termination notice period?

Our concierge contracts require a 3-month termination notice, with no penalty whatsoever. We are convinced that service quality is the best argument for client retention. If our service does not fully satisfy you, we prefer to seek improvement solutions together rather than retaining a client through restrictive contractual clauses.

Building Concierge Services in French-Speaking Switzerland