Moving In and Handover: To ensure a smooth start, tenants must announce their arrival in St. Gallen at least one week in advance. Please note that key handovers are scheduled on weekdays; no handovers take place on Saturdays or Sundays. Upon move-in, a handover protocol is created to document the condition of the room. You have a 14-day window to report any initial defects in writing.
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Duty of Care & Financial Responsibility: Treating the property with respect is a core requirement. Rent and any associated costs must be paid in advance by the first of each month. Please be aware that missing or damaged inventory (such as bed linen, pillows, or kitchenware) will be charged at replacement value. To protect yourself from costs arising from accidental damage, we highly recommend maintaining valid liability insurance.
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General Housing Guidelines & Consideration: Living in a shared community requires mutual respect. Noise must be kept to a minimum after 22:00. Common areas, stairwells, and entrances must be kept clear of personal items (like shoes) and waste. Furthermore, your contact details may be shared with your flatmates to facilitate communication and coordination within the household.
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Cleaning & Monthly Service: While Homestay AG provides a monthly professional cleaning service for common areas (kitchen, bathrooms, hallways), residents remain responsible for daily chores such as washing dishes and disposing of waste. Public spaces must always be kept in a condition that allows for viewings. If cleanliness standards are not met, we reserve the right to hire additional cleaning services at the residents' expense.
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Garbage Disposal & Hygiene: Residents are responsible for their own waste disposal using the official (taxed) garbage bags required by the city of St. Gallen. Storing waste in living areas or hallways is strictly prohibited as it attracts pests. In cases of hygiene issues, such as mold or infestations caused by neglect, the costs for professional disposal and disinfection will be charged to the residents.
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The Correct Way to Air Your Apartment: To prevent mold and mildew, proper ventilation is mandatory. This includes airing out rooms thoroughly (at least 10 minutes) after cooking or showering. During winter, we require "shock ventilation" (3–5 times a day for 5 minutes) rather than leaving windows tilted all day. Tenants are liable for repairs if mold occurs due to insufficient ventilation.
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Repairs and Maintenance: Tenants are expected to handle "small maintenance" tasks-simple repairs that do not require specialist skills (e.g., replacing light bulbs or unblocking a sink siphon). Any urgent or structural defects must be reported to Homestay AG immediately. Please allow access for authorized craftsmen or management for necessary repairs or inspections, for which you will receive prior notice.
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Smoking and Safety Regulations: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside all rooms and apartments, including leaning out of windows. Violations of the smoking policy result in a significant fine to cover potential damage and deep cleaning. Additionally, keeping pets of any kind or providing commercial services (like music lessons) in the apartment is not permitted.
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Visitors and Subletting: To maintain a safe and organized environment, visitors staying longer than three days must be reported to Homestay AG. Subletting, permanent admission of additional adults, or the installation of large appliances (like washing machines or dishwashers) requires prior written consent from the management.
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Parties & Social Conduct: Social gatherings should be infrequent and conducted with respect for the neighbors. Neighbors should be informed in advance. After any event, the apartment and any outdoor areas (balconies/terraces) must be cleaned immediately. Repeated violations of the duty of consideration for other residents can lead to the termination of the rental agreement.
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Moving Out and Return of Property: At the end of your stay, you are required to book an official move-out appointment. A Homestay AG Schweiz staff member will visit the property to conduct a final inspection and take over the room. Following the handover, professional cleaning will be carried out by our cleaning team. Please ensure all personal belongings and mail are removed beforehand; once the keys are returned, any items or mail left in the room or common areas will be disposed of. Missing keys or damages found during inspection will be deducted from the security deposit.
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