Relocating to Prague? This article is for you

Question – how long does it take to lease an apartment in Prague?

Answer – it all depends on what you are seeking and what your requirements are. If you are looking for a reasonably priced apartments in the center of the city then you need to hurry up – the demand for apartments in this location is high and they are often leased within 48 hours of being advertised. Small apartments for short term lease are also difficult to obtain

Question – what do you need to know before you start seeking an apartment in Prague?

Answer – first of all, do not permit yourself to be enticed by real estate offers on Facebook (unless they are direct publications by a recognized and established real estate agencies). We have heard of many scams, including scams leading people that are not careful into being tempted to pay a down payment prior to signing a contract.

It is recommended that you set down your parameters and seek an apartment that meets various parameters that are important to you, such as travel time to work, distance from educational institutions and so forth.

Question – what are the lease rates of apartments in Prague like?

Answer - the prices in Prague as of now are at their peak and range between 13,000 - 35,000 Czech Korunas a month for a fifty meter apartment and there are, of course, also higher price range apartments on the market. It all depends on the location of the property, its size, its furnishings and more…

Question – where is it recommended to lease an apartment in Prague?

Answer – in zones 4, 6 and 7. All of them have excellent public transportation access, an abundance of parks and many municipal services and yet their lease rates remain quite reasonable. However, there are quite a few other recommended neighborhoods. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Question – what does one need to take into account insofar as additional cost such as heating are concerned?

Answer – it is worthwhile to diligently read the lease agreement and examine what exactly it includes. Sometimes the lessor is responsible for the fees of various services – and that means that various other costs are to be expected. In addition it is worthwhile to examine the quality of these services (heating, elevator, electrical systems, water and so forth) so as to avoid unpleasant surprises in the event that it is the lessor who is responsible for bearing unexpected expenses (malfunctions, repairs and so forth).

Question – are there any additional payments such as a deposit? How does it work?

Answer – in the Czech Republic it is customary to pay a deposit to the landlord. This deposit is generally equal to the sum of a month – two months of rent, but if the leased apartment is fully furnished in can be higher.

Question – what is the significance of kk?

Answer – the significance of kk is "kitchen corner". This concept is common in new buildings because in them the kitchen is part of the residential area and not a room in its own right. In other words, if an apartment the size of kk + 2 is described, what this means is that the apartment contains two rooms and a kitchen corner. The same is true for kk + 3, kk + 4 and so forth. On the other hand, if the apartment is described as 2+1, this means that it contains two rooms and another room which is the kitchen. Read more about this here.

Question- are pets allowed in a leased apartment?

Answer – the law of the Czech Republic prevents a landlord from prohibiting the entry of pets into an apartment. On the other hand – pet friendly apartments are considered rare and so usually require negotiations with the landowner and a larger deposit.

Question – what about the Czech neighbors? Are they friendly? Is it considered acceptable or customary to knock on their doors and introduce myself to them?

Answer – generally speaking, the Czech neighbors tend to be a little shy. English is not a common language amongst the older generation and it is customary for the new residents to be held responsible for establishing neighborly relations – it can only be beneficial to do so.

Question – can I invite friends or family members as guests in my apartment?

Answer – of course. Visits by friends and family are not contrary to any Czech Republic law. If they are Israeli, their tourist visa is valid for 90 consecutive days. Insofar as guests from other (non-EU) countries - it is always worthwhile to check in advance.

Question – what is the customary early notice period for leaving the apartment?

Answer – the lease end period must be regulated in the contract. For the most part it is 3 months long and a 1 month notice is considered to be quite rare. Usually if the residents seek to leave the apartment earlier than usual – they will lose their deposit money unless an early understanding on the matter is reached with the property owners.

Additional information can be found here regarding work in the Czech Republic