Find out everything there is to know about quiet trades: definition, legal bases, examples and practical tips. This is how you can carry out quiet activities.
The idea of a ‘silent trade’ is still little known to many in the Swiss real estate and business sectors, although it occurs frequently in practice. Silent trade refers to activities that are primarily characterised by the fact that they are carried out quietly and barely noticeably. This form of professional activity differs from conventional trades, where customer traffic, machine noise or striking operating structures are part of everyday life. Instead, the silent trade is about discrete activities that often take place in the background, do not disturb the neighbourhood or significantly change the character of the space used. This is particularly the case in residential and mixed-use areas, where the boundaries between living and working are becoming increasingly blurred. To answer the question ‘what is a silent trade’, it is worth taking a look at the legal framework, typical areas of application and examples that apply in Switzerland.
The term ‘silent trade’ refers to commercial activities that, in comparison to conventional commercial enterprises, are characterised above all by the fact that they are barely noticeable. You could also describe a silent trade as an ‘invisible’ or ‘background’ trade. It is not so much a question of it being carried out secretly, but rather of it not disturbing the character of the surroundings. The activity is usually designed to be quiet, low-emission and without noticeable customer traffic. Noise, odours or elaborate deliveries are largely absent. This also makes such a business suitable for premises that were not originally designed primarily as business premises.
If you are wondering what a quiet business is in Switzerland, you should bear in mind that Switzerland's federal structure recognises cantonal and municipal regulations that define the practice of commercial activities. However, from a legal point of view, a quiet business is not fundamentally a separate category with a fixed label, but is usually subsumed under the general provisions for commercial and business premises. The decisive factor is whether the specific activity is compatible with the type of use of a property. For example, if an office is located in a residential building, it can be considered a silent business, provided it is not disruptive in any way. However, if employees are hired, customers are received or regular deliveries are made, a silent business can quickly become a regular business operation that requires additional permits or other forms of use.
In Switzerland, the framework conditions for tradespeople are regulated at various levels. Federal law sets out certain principles, but cantonal or municipal regulations are often crucial for the pursuit of a silent trade. Specific regulations can be found, for example, in the building and zoning regulations of the respective municipality. These regulations define which uses are permitted in a particular area. There are usually purely residential zones, mixed zones and purely commercial zones. A quiet business can often be carried out in residential or mixed zones if it does not disturb the neighbourhood. The approval process varies from place to place.
Swiss tenancy law also plays a role: a business owner who wants to work in a rented apartment must check whether the lease allows it. Not every lease allows a business to be run from the premises, and landlords can prohibit it. So anyone planning to run a quiet business in a rented apartment should talk to the landlord at an early stage. Many landlords are more open to the idea of quiet activities than they are to noisy or customer-intensive businesses being set up in the apartment.
A wide range of activities can be categorised as silent business. To make the term more tangible, it helps to list a few examples without using too many bullet points. A classic example is a freelance journalist or author who writes in their rented apartment. They do not need to have customer contact, they do not cause any noise except for the occasional typing noise on the keyboard and they have no storage needs that could cause a disturbance. A translator, a graphic designer or a software developer can often work without any problems as a silent business.
Another example is an online retailer who only sells digital products or offers services without storing physical goods on a large scale or regularly receiving customers on site. Some consulting and coaching activities can also be classified as silent trades, provided that meetings with clients take place virtually or that clients are only very rarely received at the home, if at all. The decisive factor is that neither neighbours nor the surrounding area are disturbed by noise, odours, streams of visitors or delivery traffic.
Another example: a yoga teacher who occasionally streams online courses in her apartment can consider this a quiet business, provided that there is no regular customer traffic on site, the neighbours are not disturbed and the apartment does not need to be structurally altered for this purpose. However, as soon as several customers come to the apartment on a regular basis, it would no longer be quiet. The situation is similar for craft activities: a jewellery designer who makes filigree jewellery in their rented apartment may only need a small work table and tools that are no louder than a normal household machine. They can sell their products online without anyone noticing.
At a time when flexible working models, home offices and hybrid usage concepts are becoming more and more widespread, the silent trade is becoming increasingly important. Employees and the self-employed want to reduce their costs, minimise commuting times and implement their own ideas without necessarily having to rent a separate business premises.
Landlords benefit when the demand for residential and commercial space remains stable. Particularly in cities with high rental demand, a landlord can point out the possibility of operating a silent business when a property is reoriented. This attracts additional tenant groups who want to combine living and working space. However, it is important for landlords to make clear arrangements with tenants in advance to avoid later conflicts. This is not only about the landlord's approval, but also about compliance with local regulations.
The question of whether a non-trading business can be operated in a rented apartment often arises when someone has already found a suitable field of activity but is unsure whether it may be carried out within their own four walls. In principle, there is no uniform national rule that expressly permits or prohibits non-trading businesses in rented apartments. Rather, the interaction of several factors is crucial:
Firstly, the tenancy agreement is crucial. It often states whether the apartment may only be used for residential purposes or whether small-scale commercial use is tolerated. If there is no clause, it is advisable to talk openly with the landlord. A quiet business that does not cause any trouble and does not affect the household is often more likely to be accepted than an obvious commercial enterprise.
Secondly, the type of activity plays a role. As a rule, employees who work for an employer in a home office do not require any special permission, since this is not considered a separate commercial activity. However, anyone who offers their own services or products should clarify whether a business registration is required for this. This depends not least on the legal form and scope of the activity. In many cases, as long as the activity remains quiet and without external impact, it is permissible in the rented apartment. However, as soon as there are any abnormalities, such as delivery traffic, customer visits or noise pollution, this can cause problems.
Thirdly, it is advisable to check the local building and zoning regulations, as these may prescribe which uses are permitted in a particular zone. A purely residential zone is often more strictly regulated than a mixed zone. Nevertheless, some regulations allow activities that are classified as quiet businesses, since they do not cause any disturbance. In case of doubt, it is worth consulting with the local building authority.
A quiet business differs from a regular business primarily in its imperceptibility. It becomes problematic when the activity increases in intensity, for example due to an increasing flow of goods, more frequent customer visits or noise from machines. For example, someone who works in a trade and suddenly uses a loud device may no longer be considered a quiet business. In such cases, there is a risk that neighbours will complain or that the landlord will intervene.
Tax and insurance issues also play a role. Depending on their turnover and the nature of their work, the self-employed may have to register a business and pay tax on their income. Insurance policies may need to be adjusted to cover the professional use of the home. Professional and accident insurance should also be reviewed. These aspects do not necessarily depend on the ‘volume’ of the business, but they do show that a silent business can be a fully-fledged business despite its inconspicuous nature.
Anyone considering operating a silent business in Switzerland will quickly realise that this form of commercial activity offers numerous opportunities in an age of structural change and digitalisation. More and more activities can be carried out digitally and independently of location. For creative industries, consulting or IT services, neither a representative shop nor large storage rooms are required. A workplace, a stable internet connection and a pleasant living environment are often sufficient. The silent trade thus hits a nerve in the modern world of work, where the boundaries between private and professional life are increasingly blurring.
At the same time, this concept reaches its limits when the business idea requires growth. As soon as employees have to be on site regularly, the likelihood increases that a quiet business will lose its appeal or simply no longer fit into the rented apartment. Then it makes sense to look for suitable office space or commercial space that is tailored to the needs of your company.
For anyone considering a quiet business, it can be helpful to get advice in advance. A conversation with a lawyer or a trustee who is familiar with tenancy and commercial law will provide clarity. It is also advisable to contact the local authority or building inspection department to ensure that the chosen activity is permitted in the desired zone. In addition, specialised real estate platforms such as maison.work offer comprehensive information on renting office and commercial space. Those who know exactly what they need from a space can search specifically for properties that allow for quiet commercial use.
Ultimately, silent trade is a flexible, modern model that offers self-employed people and entrepreneurs freedom without having to take on the costs and obligations of a fully-fledged business premises. It can be particularly attractive for start-ups, freelancers or part-time entrepreneurs to start small and see if their offering is well received by the market. If this is the case, you can always move to a larger, clearly designated commercial space at a later date.
The concept of a quiet business offers a practical solution in Switzerland for anyone who wants to implement their professional ideas without having to invest in expensive commercial space. The question ‘what is a quiet business’ can be answered as follows: a low-noise, unobtrusive and emission-free form of work that can often be carried out in rented apartments or residential buildings. The decisive factors here are always discretion, consideration for neighbours and compliance with building and tenancy law.
The many examples show that digital or creative activities are particularly suitable for this. With regard to silent trades in rented flats, it is also clear that open communication with the landlord and adherence to certain rules are necessary in order to be able to work successfully and without conflict in the long term. In an increasingly flexible working world, in which home office, remote work and individual working models are becoming the norm, silent trade has a good chance of establishing itself as a recognised form of use. This creates a win-win situation for tenants, landlords and municipalities, who thus contribute to the sustainable use of residential and commercial space.
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