Selling property in Teufen (AR): the lowest tax rate in the canton

Official statistics on prices paid are missing for Teufen (AR). The Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden does not collect them by municipality, unlike the Canton of Zurich. Listing figures for Teufen (AR) show what is asked, not what was paid.

What is on record is the stock: Teufen (AR) has 1,664 buildings with residential use in the Mittelland district. 891 of them are single-family houses, or 53.5%. The cantonal figure is 56.8%. Teufen (AR) ranks 3 of 5 in the Mittelland district. In total, Teufen (AR) has 3,493 dwellings. 68.9% were built before 1981, against 71.8% in the canton. 8.2 hectares of 183.8 hectares of building zone are undeveloped, or 4.5% (as of 2022). For the share of undeveloped zone, Teufen (AR) ranks 14 of 20 in the canton.

For a single house in Teufen (AR), location, plot, age and condition count, measured against comparable sales. You receive a written price range with its reasoning in the free assessment.

In the 2026 tax year, Teufen levies the lowest municipal tax rate of all 20 Ausserrhoden municipalities, at 2.6 units. The building code in force dates from 6 February 2007, as amended up to 2017.¹¹ It provides for no municipal levy of its own on rezoning gains.¹¹ In 2023, the municipal council also adopted a new structure plan.¹² The canton has approved it.¹² The plan is binding on the authorities and looks around 25 years ahead.¹² It forms the strategic basis for land-use planning.¹²

Teufen has also had its care for older residents reviewed.¹³ A final report to the municipal council, dated 17 May 2021, counted 99 care places actually in operation.¹³ They are split between two homes, Unteres Gremm and Lindenhügel.¹³ By 2035, the report expects demand for around 120 places.¹³ It also expects demand for around 70 flats for older people by 2035.¹³ That matters for owners who inherit a family home or move into care themselves.

In Teufen (AR), 1,147 of 1,664 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. Teufen (AR) therefore has a lower share than the canton at 71.8%. Compared with Teufen (AR), the figure in Speicher is 66.8%.

In Teufen (AR), oil or gas heats 831 buildings with residential use, 49.9%, against 48.9% in the canton. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 9, counting from the highest share. For many houses in Teufen (AR), heating is therefore on the agenda.

Records of heating, roof and windows therefore belong in the sale documents for Teufen (AR). For owner-occupied homes in Teufen (AR), the imputed rental value and the maintenance deduction end on 1 January 2029.¹ Whether a renovation in Teufen (AR) still pays off first is covered in Renovate or sell.

Teufen (AR) has 6,646 residents. 1,521 of them, 22.9%, are 65 or older, against 22.2% in the canton. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 7, counting from the highest share. In the Mittelland district: rank 3 of 5. Compared with Teufen (AR), the figure in Speicher is 21.7%.

On 1 June 2026, 52 homes in Teufen (AR) were empty, 1.49% of the stock, against 1.12% in the canton. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 16, counting from the lowest vacancy. For Teufen (AR), the figure counts all homes; it does not measure houses on the market.

The municipal tax rate of Teufen (AR) is 2.6 units. Among the 20 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 1, counting from the lowest tax rate. It applies to income and wealth; the municipality atlas compares all municipalities. By public transport, Zurich HB is 83 minutes away from the Teufen AR 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