💡 Rental listings are found on Sreality.cz or Bezrealitky.cz; nájem is the rent, služby are utilities, kauce is the deposit; the price is often stated separately from services.
💡 Byt zařízený is a furnished apartment, nezařízený an empty one, částečně zařízený partly furnished; kuchyňská linka is a built-in kitchen, spotřebiče appliances.
💡 Pets (mazlíčci) depend on the owner's consent; when the owner doesn't mind it is better for it to be stated in the nájemní smlouva (rental contract).
💡 A realitní kancelář (estate agency) charges a provize (commission), often from the tenant or the owner; before signing ask who pays and how much.
💡 In a spolubydlení (flat share) you rent a room and the kitchen and bathroom are shared; ask about the deposit, the house rules and whether guests are allowed.
💡 A viewing (prohlídka) is usually arranged briefly by phone or message; arrive on time and bring an identity document.
💡 During a viewing ask about topení (heating), okna (windows), internet, the pračka (washing machine) and the sklep (cellar) - they are often part of the rent.
💡 Negotiating the price in the Czech Republic is normal if polite: explain that you are interested in the apartment and propose your number.
💡 During the viewing ask about neighbours, noise, the stop and shops; walk around the area in the morning and in the evening to see the difference.
💡 For signing the nájemní smlouva (rental contract) they usually ask for a passport, a visa or residence permit and sometimes proof of income.
💡 Doba nájmu is the rental period (na dobu určitou - for a fixed term, na dobu neurčitou - indefinitely), výpovědní lhůta is the notice period, usually three months.
💡 A předávací protokol is the handover record of the apartment with its condition and meter readings (elektřina, plyn, voda); sign it only after photographing any defects.
💡 To register your place of residence you need a souhlas vlastníka (owner's consent) with a signature; with this document foreigners go to the relevant office.
💡 A rental contract is na dobu určitou (fixed-term) or na dobu neurčitou (open-ended); this determines how and when it can be ended; check this point before signing.
💡 The kauce (or jistota) is a deposit, usually up to three monthly payments; it is returned after moving out if the apartment is in order.
💡 Always get a written potvrzení o přijetí kauce (confirmation of deposit receipt): it protects you if a dispute arises on moving out.
💡 Report a breakdown to the owner (pronajímatel) without delay: by phone and then briefly in writing - this is proof the owner was told.
💡 If water is leaking, close the hlavní uzávěr vody (main water shutoff) and tell the owner or the správce domu (building manager) at once.
💡 Minor repairs (drobné opravy) are customarily paid by the tenant, major repairs and what arose from wear and tear - by the owner; exactly - in the contract.
💡 Mould (plíseň) often comes from damp or poor ventilation; tell the landlord and take a photo; ask who pays for the repair and whether you should air the flat more often.
💡 If an appliance included in the contract breaks (washing machine, cooker), tell the landlord and agree who calls the repairman; do not repair it yourself without permission.
💡 Ending a rental is done with a written výpověď (notice) with signature and date; the notice period (výpovědní lhůta) is usually three months, counting from the start of the next month.
💡 Before handing over clean the apartment and photograph its condition; do a joint inspection and note the meter readings in the předávací protokol.
💡 The vyúčtování služeb is the final settlement of utility services: the owner sends it after the accounting period ends, and the difference (přeplatek or nedoplatek) is refunded or paid.
💡 The landlord may deduct from the kauce (deposit) only justified costs: damage or arrears; ask for a written breakdown and photos; normal opotřebení (wear and tear) does not count.
💡 Rent often includes zálohy na služby (advances for utilities): you pay a fixed sum monthly and once a year a vyúčtování (statement) arrives with a surplus or a shortfall; ask which services are included.
💡 When you move in the electricity or gas contract often has to be přepsat (transferred) to your name; give the address, the meter number and the reading on the move-in day; ask about the tariff.
💡 When moving in or out write down and photograph the odečty (readings) of the electricity, gas and water meters together with the landlord; they go into the předávací protokol (hand-over protocol).
💡 Home internet: rychlost (speed), optika (fibre) or wireless, smlouva na dobu určitou (fixed-term contract); ask the price after the promotion and the conditions for early termination.
💡 The poplatek za komunální odpad (waste fee) is paid by the owner or the tenant by agreement; in a tenancy it is often included in the zálohy na služby; ask whether it has to be paid separately.