Renting a flat in Czechia as a foreigner: lease, deposit of up to 3 months’ rent, rent increases and eviction

Updated: 13 November 2026

Renting is the first thing a foreigner deals with in Czechia: you need a lease both to live and for the Ministry of the Interior. Czech law protects tenants well, but many people do not know it and accept unlawful terms. Here are the essentials.

The lease

• A residential lease is made in writing. Check who the owner is (land-registry extract), the term, the rent and service advances.
• If you rent from another tenant rather than the owner, it is a sublease; subletting a whole flat requires the owner’s written consent.
• Ask for a handover protocol (předávací protokol) with the flat’s condition, meter readings and photos — it protects your deposit.

The deposit (kauce)

• The deposit plus any contractual penalties may not exceed 3 months’ rent (Section 2254 of the Civil Code).
• At the end of the lease the landlord returns it with interest, deducting only genuine debts.
• Interest cannot be excluded by contract — agree a specific rate.

Rent increases

If the lease has no rules on increases, the owner may propose raising the rent to the usual local level, but no earlier than 12 months after the last increase and by no more than 20% in 3 years. The tenant has 2 months to agree in writing; otherwise a court decides.

Ending the lease

• A tenant with an open-ended lease may terminate without reason on 3 months’ notice; with a fixed-term lease only if circumstances have changed substantially.
• A landlord may terminate only on statutory grounds (serious breach, the flat is needed for a relative, etc.), in writing, with reasons and 3 months’ notice.
• A termination can be challenged in court within 2 months.
• The notice period starts on the first day of the month after delivery.

Services and repairs

• Service advances (water, heating, waste) are settled annually within 4 months after the period ends; overpayments are refunded.
• Minor repairs and routine upkeep are the tenant’s; everything else is the owner’s. Report defects promptly and in writing.

Proof of accommodation for the Ministry

For a residence permit, extension or change of address, the Ministry accepts a lease (or sublease) or the owner’s confirmation of accommodation with a notarised signature. Documents in other languages need a Czech translation.

Common mistakes

• A deposit of 4–6 months’ rent — more than the law allows.
• Renting “without a contract” — no document for the Ministry and no protection.
• No handover protocol — hard to prove the flat’s condition when moving out.
• A sublease without the owner’s consent — risk of sudden eviction.

Sources

• Veřejný ochránce práv — nájem bytu (leták)
• Občanský zákoník č. 89/2012 Sb. — nájem bytu a domu
• Portál veřejné správy — doklad o zajištění ubytování

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Check the current rules before making a decision, or contact us.