Renting A Flat In Czech

How to read a Czech flat listing

Czech listings describe a flat by its rooms, not its bedrooms. The number is the rooms, and what comes after the plus is the kitchen. Bathroom and toilet are not counted.

Listing	What it means
1+kk / garsonka	A studio: one room with a kitchen corner
2+kk	Two rooms, one of them with a kitchen corner (kuchyňský kout)
2+1	Two rooms plus a separate kitchen with its own door
3+1	Three rooms plus a separate kitchen. Say it tři plus jedna
panelák	A flat in a concrete prefab block. The alternative is cihlový dům, brick
přímo od majitele	Directly from the owner: no agent and no agent's fee
zařízený / nezařízený	Furnished / unfurnished

Calling about a flat

Czech	English
Dobrý den, volám kvůli inzerátu. Je byt ještě volný?	Hello, I'm calling about the listing. Is the flat still available?
Kdy se můžu přijít podívat?	When can I come and see it?
Od kdy je byt volný?	From when is the flat available?
Kolik je nájem včetně energií?	How much is the rent including utilities?
Jak vysoká je kauce?	How much is the deposit?
Kolik je provize?	How much is the agent's fee?
Je byt zařízený?	Is the flat furnished?
Jsou povolená zvířata?	Are pets allowed?
Patří k bytu sklep?	Does a cellar come with the flat?
Na jak dlouho je smlouva?	How long is the lease for?

Always ask about the rent including utilities. The figure in a listing is usually the rent alone, with zálohy na energie (monthly advances for utilities) and poplatky za služby (service charges) on top.

Signing and moving in

Czech	English
nájemní smlouva	lease, tenancy agreement
na dobu určitou / neurčitou	fixed-term / open-ended
kauce	deposit
podnájem	sublet
předávací protokol	handover report
stav měřičů	meter readings
Kdy podepíšeme smlouvu?	When do we sign the lease?
Kdy dostanu klíče?	When will I get the keys?
Podepíšete mi potvrzení o ubytování?	Will you sign a confirmation of accommodation for me?
Můžu si dát jméno na zvonek a schránku?	Can I put my name on the doorbell and letterbox?

The předávací protokol records the state of the flat, the furniture, the keys and the meter readings when you move in. What it says decides what can come off your deposit when you leave, so read it, add anything that is missing, and take photos.

When something breaks

Czech	English
Nefunguje topení.	The heating doesn't work.
Neteče teplá voda.	There's no hot water.
Vypadly pojistky.	The fuses have tripped.
Kape kohoutek.	The tap is dripping.
Ucpal se odpad.	The drain is blocked.
Zatéká nám do bytu.	Water is leaking into our flat.
V koupelně je plíseň.	There's mould in the bathroom.
Kdy přijde opravář?	When will the repairman come?
Kdo zaplatí opravu?	Who will pay for the repair?

Moving out

Czech	English
dát výpověď	to give notice
výpovědní lhůta	notice period
Chtěl bych / Chtěla bych ukončit nájem dohodou.	I'd like to end the lease by agreement.
předání bytu	handing the flat back
běžné opotřebení	normal wear and tear
Takhle to bylo už při nastěhování.	It was like this when I moved in.
Kdy mi vrátíte kauci?	When will you return my deposit?

Rules on deposits, notice and repairs depend on your lease and the law, so check your contract. This page is about the language, not the law.

Two grammar points that help

• A man says chtěl bych; a woman says chtěla bych. The past tense and "would" forms agree with the speaker.
• Use the formal vy with landlords, agents and building managers. All the questions above already do.