Prague Real Estate - FAQ Long Term Rentals

How do I get started?

The first thing to do when looking at Prague apartments is contact us via e-mail, phone about what type of Prague apartment, flat/house you are looking for, including your price range. The broker will set up appointments for a variety of Prague apartments available on the market,and will take you to see all the Prague apartments, flats/houses that you're interested in.

What are the start- up costs?

• first month rent + bills
• security deposit ( 1 - 2 months rent in advance )
• broker's commission ( one month rent + VAT )
  ...will move you in.

Please keep in mind that all these payments have to be done before moving in into your new Prague apartment and you might have a weekly credit card limit.

Service and Utility Charges

Rental price of Prague apartments does not include energy consumption, common charges and telecom/internet charges. Payments for energy consumption ( electricity, gas ) are usually done on a monthly basis and the balance is done once a year. Tenants either reimburse their landlords or pay the suppliers directly.

Service charges or Common charges cover the cost of maintaining the common areas in a building (for example: garbage, elevator, electricity in common space, cleaning, maintainance, etc.). Services/common charges are pass through charges which building managers pay directly to the suppliers.

Both energy and common charges should be specified in the Lease contract.

Internet connection

It is ALWAYS possible to get internet connection in your Prague apartment through one of the service providers. Possibilities are : cable companies, telecom, wi-fi, mobile companies. It depends on the building location, but one thing is certain : there's ALWAYS a posibility of an internet connection in your building.

Security Deposit

All Landlords require a security deposit for Prague apartments, which is at least equal to one months rent in advance regardless of the rental value of the property. This money is held by the owner for the term of the lease and is refundable subject to any deductions for damage not withstanding normal wear and tear. A security deposit is money that the tenant pays to the landlord. It provides monetary security to the landlord, in case of damage to the flat or failure by the tenant to comply with the agreement (such as moving out before the lease ends). The tenant receives the deposit back at the end of the lease, minus any deductions for repairs / restoration.

The key to getting your security deposit back is the maintenance of good records (especially when moving in and out of the flat) and by communicating with your landlord or property manager.

How far ahead should I start looking for my new Prague apartment ?

You'll want to start looking 4-8 weeks prior to the date you want to move in. However, if your time frame is shorter than that (even up to 1 week), our rental broker will still be able to find you a great Prague apartment.

What's the minimum length of a lease ?

Although most Prague apartments leases are 1-year leases, if you want something shorter, please let your broker know up front.

Start

First, you must decide how long you will live in this location ( learn more About Prague ), which will dictate what kind of Prague apartment to look for. Most leases require at least one year's commitment.

Amenities vs. Rent Budget

The game of choosing a Prague apartment involves balancing what you can afford with how nice an apartment you want. The more amenities there are, the higher the rent. Amenities can include a swimming pool, gym, laundry machines, location and size.

The rents listed by Home for You are the asking prices given by the Prague property owners. Rental costs vary considerably depending on the size (number of bedrooms) and quality of a property, its age and the facilities provided. However, the most significant factor affecting rents is location, equipment and the particular neighbourhood.

So, before you can begin looking for your new Prague apartment and before you can determine your rent, the key is to begin prioritizing your flat needs and wants. Also, you and your roommate must discuss the maximum amount of rent each of you can afford.

Although it is not in all cases, rents are often negotiable. We advise you to choose Prague apartments costing as much as 10 - 20% more than you budgeted. Your broker might not be able to negotiate your price, but you can always make an offer.

Furnished Prague apartments are usually more expensive than unfurnished ones. Some landlords are willing to buy furniture after negotiating terms ( usually for a higher rental price or a longer rental period).

Researching Neighbourhoods

Part of the process of finding your new Prague apartment is knowing where you want to live. Whether you're new to a city or you've grown up there, taking time to research and explore different Prague neighbourhoods will help you decide where to look. Even if you think you know all about a city, it won't hurt to check out some new areas ' you might be pleasantly surprised by some neighbourhoods. Hype and reputation can become outdated. To have a better idea about Prague neighbourhoods click here.

LEASE CONTRACT

Like the stripes on a zebra, no two flat leases are identical. Leases run the gamut, from one page to several pages. And they often include a host of stipulations on the obligations of the landlord and the tenant.

Once signed, this document becomes a contract or agreement between the tenant and the landlord.

There might come a time when you dislike parts of your flat lease. Some leases contain penalties for late rent that seem harsh. The contractual conditions of any rental flats resulting from our website and our agency services are strictly between the landlords and tenants. All agreements between landlords and tenants are the responsibility of the parties involved in that agreement. Home for You is not responsible for any disputes arising out of such agreements. A flat lease is meant to protect both the landlord and the tenant. Like any other contract, a flat lease is between unique tenants and landlords and covers a specific flat.

How do I legally break a lease?

The thing to remember is that a flat lease is a legally binding contract between the tenant and the landlord. So, breaking a lease is like breaking any contract. There are usually penalties. That doesn't mean you should never break a lease.

In real life, things come up all the time: you get a new job that's out of town; you can no longer afford the rent; you're getting married. We can't always put our life on hold for a lease. While landlords understand this, it doesn't negate the fact that you're ending an agreement. For them, it means finding a new tenant sooner than they expected.

Typical Penalties for Breaking a Lease

Many leases specify the penalties for breaking it. The penalties are there to deter tenants from breaking the lease and to compensate the landlord should a tenant decide to go ahead and do it.

Common penalties include paying rent until the end of an agreed period and/or the loss of the security deposit or both. Read the lease to find out what's been specified in your case.

Moving In

Walk-through Inspection and Photographs

Before you move in, go through the flat with the owner or property manager and write down any existing damages. Have them sign and date the document. If it's not convenient to do a walk-through, then examine the flat yourself and take pictures. Send the photos and a written description to the landlord, asking them to sign off on it.

Moving Out

A few weeks before you move out of your Prague apartment, walk through the flat again with the property manager to confirm what you need to do to get your security deposit back in full. Do this early enough,so that you have time to make any necessary repairs yourself. Write down what damages you're responsible for and have your landlord sign off on this. Whether or not you repair them, your landlord can only deduct your security deposit to take care of these damages..

Keep Good Records

Keep a copy of all correspondence and legal documents until you get your security deposit back. This means:

1. Keep the flat lease or rental agreement in a secure place.
2. Keep all rent receipts or checks.
3. Keep a copy of all agreements regarding damages between you and the landlord.
4. Keep a copy of the letter sent to your landlord with your forwarding address.

Can I have a pet?

You'll want to tell your Prague rental agent during your first meeting that you are interested in properties that accept pets. Unfortunately, many owners are overly cautious when renting their properties to pet owners. It might be difficult to find a flat that allows cats and dogs. Even these difficulties can be over-come by offering a larger damage/security deposit, usually around an additional 10 000 CZK (approximately 300 EUR ).