SwitzerlandGuides · Updated on 11.09.2026
I Received an OIBT Inspection Notice: What Should I Do?
The grid operator (DSO) writes to you: your electrical installation's periodic inspection is due. This letter is not a penalty — it is a reminder required by the ordinance (Art. 36 OIBT). It sets a deadline for submitting a safety report drawn up by an independent inspection body.
1. Read the letter: three details matter
The deadline for submitting the report, the DSO's reference number (to be shown on the report), and the exact address of the installation concerned. A building may receive one notice for the common areas and another for each unit.
2. Appoint an independent inspection body
The periodic inspection cannot be carried out by the contractor who maintains your installation: it must be performed by an independent body authorized by ESTI. On OIBT pro, the price is shown before any commitment and you choose the time slot; the safety inspector who visits you works for an authorized body.
3. Prepare for the visit
Make sure the electrical panel and all rooms are accessible, including the cellar, garage and attic. The inspector takes measurements (insulation, continuity, residual-current devices), carries out a visual inspection and records the results in a measurement report. Allow one to two hours for a house.
4. Correct any defects
If there are no defects, the safety report is issued immediately. If defects are found, you receive an itemized list with a correction deadline; a licensed electrical contractor corrects them, and the inspector then validates the corrections. You are free to choose your own contractor or a platform partner.
5. Submit the report to the DSO
The safety report (RS) and the measurement report are sent to the grid operator together with its reference number. On OIBT pro, the documents are available in your client area as soon as the inspector uploads them, and are kept on file for the next inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don't respond to the notice?
The DSO sends a reminder. If no report is submitted after the reminder, the file is passed to ESTI, which can order the inspection to be carried out at the owner's expense and charge its own fees.
Is the inspection the tenant's responsibility?
No. The periodic inspection is the responsibility of the installation's owner (Art. 5 OIBT). The tenant only needs to provide access to the premises.
How much does an inspection cost after receiving a notice?
The price depends on the type and size of the property, not the hours worked: from CHF 448 for a single-family home and from CHF 285 for an apartment, VAT included, with no hidden fees.