Renting in the Czech Republic? Learn about deposits, paperwork, and legal tips to avoid surprises. Make your move stress-free with expert advice!
When moving to a new place, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. It can be stressful trying to figure this out if you are moving to a foreign country with different rules. Here are some tips for how to ensure you enter into an adequate living situation, legally and practically.
What am I paying for?
Many countries follow this standard, but it is very important to pay attention to what your deposits, rent, and utilities payments are.
In some cases, you will pay your utility charges to your landlord, but in others, you will pay them directly to the utility companies. Both of these have their pros and cons.
Make sure you also understand how much you are paying for a deposit (it can be anywhere from 1 to 3 months worth of rent but Czech law limits deposits to a maximum of 3 months’ rent).
What is needed from me?
Renting in the Czech Republic involves a few important pieces of paperwork. Czech law requires a standard written lease agreement between the two parties. This should be up to date regarding the Czech civil code.
Before the lease agreement, there is a reservation contract to block out a property before both parties sign the lease. This usually includes a reservation fee.
There is also a handover protocol document that is not legally required but highly recommended.
You must report a change of address to the Czech Ministry of the Interior and additional paperwork might need to be filed and submitted to the Foreigners Police, depending on visa requirements. The obligation to report a change of address differs depending on your residence status.
What are other details to look out for?
You should know whether you are leasing or subleasing. Subleasing follows certain rules that allow or do not allow your landlord to sublease. If you are leasing, there are certain terms under which you can or cannot sublease to others.
If the person renting out the apartment does not own it, they need a power of attorney from the owner. This is important to make sure laws are being followed and you can actually lease. Search an Online Property Register (this can be done through mapy.cz). Also, inspect the property’s condition. Request a virtual tour/in person visit with your landlord, and take pictures of any wear and tear in the space before you move in.
Know how long you are leasing for, what the rules for early termination and notice of termination are, and how you are insured. Also know your terms for rent increase. Czech law protects you, even as a foreigner.
You have the rights to ask for changes! You can negotiate aspects like how much furnishing is included, the deposit amount, and translation services.
There are typically not as many requirements from landlords in the Czech Republic compared to Western countries like the US or UK. Landlords in the Czech Republic usually do not ask for bank statements, previous landlord references, or employment contracts. However, they are allowed to request this information or other additional information. They sometimes check public registers for insolvency or debt collection records.
So, how do I find a place to live?
Now that you know some important aspects of moving to the Czech Republic, it is time to start searching. You can ask friends or family if you know any in the area. There are also many websites providing information on properties and real estate agent contacts. There can be a lot of details involved in this search so it is important to be as thorough as you can.
Of course, this can be an overwhelming process. Foreigners is here to help! From legal supervision to landlord communication, we make renting stress-free. Want to see available apartments? Check out Lido Living Apartments in Brno and explore our full range of services today! Looking for options beyond Brno? Check out our apartments in other cities as well.
Image source: Canva
