Mold and poor quality plague new Geneva housing

In some of Geneva's newest buildings, residents are experiencing health issues and discovering defects that are difficult to prove and even harder to fix. Zoé*, a tenant in a building inaugurated in 2023, has made numerous attempts to document mold and high levels of pollutants in her apartment, but a lasting solution remains elusive.

Near Geneva's Cornavin station, a large apartment block built three years ago is the site of numerous tenant complaints. "I've been breathing less well since I moved in," says Lola*, who lives there with her husband and two children. She believes the issue stems from poor-quality paint. Her neighbor, Hélène*, agrees, pointing to the paint as the culprit. Another resident on a different floor laments a fragile parquet floor, stating, "I've never seen such a weak varnish."

Despite these shared grievances, most residents hesitate to formally complain to the property management. Their fear is twofold: they worry about being held financially responsible for the repairs or, worse, being blacklisted by management companies. This apprehension creates a cycle where problems persist due to a lack of official reporting.

The situation highlights a growing concern in modern construction, where the speed of development may sometimes compromise the quality of materials and the long-term habitability of dwellings. The reluctance of tenants to speak out, driven by fear of reprisal, further complicates efforts to address these issues and ensure safe living conditions.