Our Commitment

For Sumia members, the landlord is a partner, not an adversary - and the apartment is something entrusted to them. For us, a tenancy is a temporary relationship supported by both parties.

This gives rise to two obligations, and we take them seriously.

First: We take good care of what has been entrusted to us. We live in, care for, and maintain the apartment—and return it in good condition.

Second: In the event of a conflict—whether it involves utility bills, repairs, a rent increase, or even the landlord’s need to use the property for personal use—we first seek to resolve the issue through dialogue. And if we hit a snag, we bring in a mediator: one we choose ourselves from a pool of independent mediators curated by Sumia. With all mediators in this pool, the first session is free of charge for us.

“First” here means ‘first’—not “instead.” This obligation does not take away anyone's rights. It establishes the order: first the conversation, then everything else.

It is voluntary, and it is one-sided. We do not require anything from the landlord in return. The mediator is also available to the landlord—the first consultation is free of charge if it concerns a lease agreement with a Sumia member. The landlord is under no obligation.

None of this is being imposed on us. It's just the way we live anyway.