SwitzerlandGuides · Updated on 11.09.2026
OIBT Inspection When Buying or Selling Property
The safety report is part of a property's documentation, on the same footing as the energy certificate. When ownership changes hands, it must be handed to the new owner, and an inspection is often requested when the deadline is approaching.
For the seller
Gather the most recent safety report and measurement report. If they cannot be found or are outdated, an inspection before listing the property avoids negotiations over unknown defects and reassures the buyer. The cost, from CHF 448 for a house, is marginal compared with the transaction.
For the buyer
Ask for the safety report before signing. An older installation without a recent report may hide costly defects (no residual-current device, outdated panel, inadequate earthing). You can have an inspection carried out at your own expense before signing.
When is an inspection required?
When the inspection period has expired or is close to expiring, the grid operator will ask the new owner for a safety report shortly after the transfer. Check with the DSO or the notary before the sale.
Defects discovered after purchase
Electrical defects fall under the warranty for defects in the item sold, which is often excluded in sale deeds. An inspection before signing remains the only reliable way to know what you are buying.
Renovation after purchase
If you are planning electrical work, have it carried out by a licensed electrical contractor: they will issue the final inspection and the installation notice, which starts a new inspection period.
Frequently asked questions
Does the notary require the OIBT report?
It is not a legal condition of the sale, but many notaries and buyers ask for it, and the DSO may require an inspection after the transfer.
Who pays for the inspection in a sale?
Whoever orders it: the seller if they want to secure the sale, the buyer if they want to check before signing. Nothing prevents including it in the deed.
Can a recent inspection be reused?
Yes, the safety report remains valid for the entire inspection period, regardless of the owner.