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Housing

In this section you will learn basic information about housing in the Czech Republic. We will focus on renting a flat or a house, where to look for housing, what the lease agreement has to include, what is covered by your utilities bill, what are your obligations as a foreign national toward the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, and we will also provide you with useful links and contacts.

Renting and Buying a Flat for Foreign Nationals

In the Czech Republic, you can live in your own flat or house if you buy one. You can also rent a flat or house, or live inexpensively in a shared flat through a sublease. In Prague, there is also a number of private hostels offering low-cost or temporary accommodation if you find yourself in a difficult situation.

Housing for Foreign Nationals and Proof of Accommodation for the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic

When looking for accommodation as a foreign national, keep in mind that the space must be intended for living, lodging, or recreation (it is not possible to live in non-residential premises, such as an office), and the living area must be sufficient for the number of people living there (1 person – 8 m², 2 persons – 12.6 m², each additional person – plus 5 m²). This is important as you need to provide the Ministry of the Interior with proof of accommodation when extending your stay in the CR. More information is available on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic.

Where to Look for Housing (either for sale or for rent)

You can contact a real estate agency that offers properties and mediates their sale or rental. However, you should expect that they will charge a brokerage fee. When renting, this fee usually corresponds to one month’s rent, while for a purchase it is typically 3–5 % of the property price. As a foreign national, you have no legal restrictions on buying property in the Czech Republic. Many Czech citizens address their housing needs by purchasing property, as mortgage repayments can be comparable to monthly rental payments.

On real estate websites, you will come across the following abbreviations when searching for accommodation:

  • 1+kk – one room plus a kitchenette

  • 1+1 – one room plus a separate kitchen

  • 2+1, 3+1, 4+1 – two, three, or four rooms plus a kitchen

A reservation contract serves as a guarantee that the property will not be sold or leased to anyone else. You will also have to pay a reservation fee when concluding one. Always ask for proof of payment!
Do not be afraid to look for a property independently and communicate directly with the owner or the lessor. You can find property listings posted by owners on various websites, such as Bezrealitky. If you need help looking for accommodation, you can contact social counselors at integration centers and nongovernmental non-profit organisations. They can help you communicate with the landlord and check the lease agreement. Finding housing is often more challenging for foreign nationals than for Czechs.

Lease and Sublease Agreement

What is the difference between a lease and a sublease agreement? The lease agreement is used by owners who let someone use their property. The sublease agreement is used by lessees who let someone use the property (or part of it) that they lease and do not occupy themselves. A sublease gives the tenant fewer rights than a lease. The lessor may ask you to move out of the flat only if there are legal reasons to do so, whereas a sublease ends automatically when the main lease is terminated.

A lease agreement must be made in writing. It must include the designation of the two parties – the landlord and the tenant – a description of the flat and any extras that come with it, the rent including utility fees, and the payment schedule (usually monthly). The agreement also usually specifies the duration of the lease. If this information is not included, the lease is considered to be for an indefinite term.

Always make sure that the lessor is entitled to conclude a lease agreement with you. If the landlord is the owner of the property, check their property rights in the Land Register, a public register. You can also access the the Land Register through Mapy.cz, where, after entering any address in the Czech Republic, you can click through to “Information from Land Register”.

If it is a sublease, verify that the tenant has written consent from the owner to conclude the sublease agreement. (Consent is not required if the landlord lives in the property and the lease does not explicitly prohibit subleasing.) You should also use the Land Register if you are planning to buy a property. Check whether the seller is the true owner and whether the property is free of any encumbrances.

Make sure you fully understand the content of the agreement. If you receive only a Czech version, have it translated or consult it at an integration centre or NGO for free.

Fees and Services

Keep in mind that the rent usually does not cover the full cost of your accommodation. Additional fees for utilities and services – such as water, gas, electricity, municipal waste collection, television and radio licence fees, a fixed telephone line, or a lift – are typically paid separately.

You can have electricity and gas accounts transferred directly into your name, or you can pay them to the landlord as advance payments, which the landlord will settle once a year. Water bills are always paid by the landlord. Make sure that the landlord also pays the municipal waste collection fees on your behalf! In the Czech Republic, every household is obliged to pay for waste collection, and each city has its own rules.

Similarly, you are required to pay the television and radio licence fee, which is charged per household. Landlords often include these fees automatically in the lease agreement. If you do not use a radio or television at home and do not have a radio or TV receiver, you can deregister from this obligation.

In the Czech Republic, bills must be paid on time. Any delay in payment can result in a fine or penalty, which may even be applied retroactively for several years!

Deposit

The landlord will most likely ask you to pay a deposit, which is usually equal to two months’ rent. The maximum allowed deposit is six months’ rent. This deposit serves as a security to cover any unpaid rent or damage to items in the flat. If such a situation occurs, the landlord must calculate the damage and deduct the corresponding amount from the deposit. However, the deposit cannot be used for any other purpose, and the landlord must return it to you after the lease terminates.

Land Register

The Land Register is a free and open database of information about real estate property rights and other details.

Low-Cost Accommodation in Prague for Emergencies

If you find yourself in a difficult situation and need quick or inexpensive accommodation, there are many private hostels in Prague, whose prices are set on a commercial basis. There are also a few facilities such as the Salvation Army Shelter, charity-run hostels, and shelters for mothers with children.

In the Czech Republic, you may encounter customs that are different from those in your country of origin. For example, you may be surprised by the strict enforcement of quiet hours, which are set from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Violating quiet hours, for instance by playing loud music, can result in a fine from the Czech Police.

In a building where you live with other tenants, you may also encounter other intercultural differences. Many buildings display a house rules document, which can help you understand the basic rules for living in the building. In some places, residents take turns cleaning the common areas.

Familiarise yourself with the customs of your new home, and if anything is unclear, ask your neighbors, the landlord, or building representatives.

Free Assistance and Information

If you need help, contact integration centres and NGOs, which provide social counselling free of charge. They can help you look for a flat, communicate with the landlord, accompany you during the flat inspection, check the lease contract and explain everything you need to know.