Before visiting a new country it’s always important to be aware of its laws and customs.
Awareness of local rules helps to avoid any unnecessary issues and even potential fines.
Certain countries have different laws for a host of reasons and can include simple factors involving food, music or clothing.
Some are obvious and are standard measures seen among most nations but others are downright bizarre and may catch you off guard if not careful.
One such rule is found in Switzerland and involves the flushing of a toilet.
While it’s not technically illegal, flushing the toilet after 10 pm in Switzerland is strongly frowned upon.
This is because the sound of a toilet flush late at night has been deemed as noise pollution by the Swiss government.
These rules are imposed by landlords ensuring any home must follow the guidelines of avoiding flushing the toilet between the hours of 10pm to 7am so as to ensure neighbours are not disturbed.
It’s also considered rude if your Swiss neighbour overhears the sound of water moving waste through a drainpipe.
It may seem absurd but in Switzerland most landlords are allowed to create a lengthy and seemingly outrageous set of rules which residents must abide by.
These caveats on tenants’ contracts are known as “Hausordnung” or house rules which can often be enforced by local authorities.
These rules presented by a landlord must include a substantial argument ensuring they’re at least reasonable.
While avoiding toilet flushing during certain hours is not standardised or a nationwide law, it does fall under the realm of noise pollution which can be a touchy subject in Switzerland.
Thomas Oberle, a lawyer with the Swiss homeowners’ association, HEV, spoke to The Local discussing tenants’ legal protections around dubious house rules.
He spoke not only about flushing of toilets late at night but also running a bath which could also be deemed as noise pollution but added that “common sense is key”.
Regarding whether or not one must follow these water rules during unsociable hours, Oberle said: “I wouldn’t recommend running a bath at night as the noise would be inconsiderate.”
