Selling property in Gais: a low tax rate

Official statistics on prices paid are missing for Gais. The Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden does not collect them by municipality, unlike the Canton of Zurich. Portal values for Gais rest on offers, not on completed sales.

What is on record is the stock: Gais has 1,006 buildings with residential use in the Mittelland district. 577 of them are single-family houses, or 57.4%. The cantonal figure is 56.8%. Gais ranks 2 of 5 in the Mittelland district. In total, Gais has 1,662 dwellings. 68.9% were built before 1981, against 71.8% in the canton. 1.5 hectares of 95.6 hectares of building zone are undeveloped, or 1.5% (as of 2022). For the share of undeveloped zone, Gais ranks 20 of 20 in the canton.

The price of your house in Gais depends on location, plot and building, measured against similar sales. The free assessment gives you a written price range with its reasoning.

In Gais, 693 of 1,006 buildings with residential use date from before 1981. That is 68.9%. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 15, counting from the highest share. In the Mittelland district: rank 3 of 5. Gais therefore has a lower share than the canton at 71.8%. Compared with Gais, the figure in Teufen (AR) is 68.9%.

In Gais, oil or gas heats 421 buildings with residential use, 41.8%, against 48.9% in the canton. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 12, counting from the highest share. In Gais, a smaller share of houses uses oil or gas than in the canton.

Anyone selling in Gais adds records of heating, roof and windows to the sale documents. From 1 January 2029, owners living in their home in Gais lose the imputed rental value and the maintenance deduction.¹ The calculation before a renovation is in Renovate or sell.

Gais has 3,150 residents. 733 of them, 23.3%, are 65 or older, against 22.2% in the canton. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 6, counting from the highest share. In the Mittelland district: rank 2 of 5.

On 1 June 2026, 19 homes in Gais were empty, 1.14% of the stock, against 1.12% in the canton. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 13, counting from the lowest vacancy. In Gais, rented and owned homes are counted; the figure does not show how many houses are for sale.

The municipal tax rate of Gais is 3.35 units. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 3, counting from the lowest tax rate. How Gais compares for the same income and wealth is shown in the municipality atlas. By public transport, Zurich HB is 96 minutes away from the Gais stop, with 1 change.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden taxes the sale gain at a flat 30 per cent, whatever the amount.² Below four years of ownership, a surcharge applies. From the eleventh full year, the tax falls, up to half after 30 years.²

Replace your permanently owner-occupied home with a new one in Switzerland, and the canton defers the tax, so far as the proceeds fund it.^{2 3} Deadline: three years after or one year before the sale.³ Buy only after the sale, and you pay first; deferral follows on request.³

The municipality also levies a transfer tax of at most 2 per cent. It may set a lower rate.² Buyer and seller agree freely who pays; otherwise, each owes half.³

The sale contract is notarised by the land registry office of the municipality where the property lies.⁴ Buyer and seller sign there, as they would with a notary elsewhere.⁴