Renting a flat or apartment in the Czech Republic is a challenge that should not be underestimated. The process can be frustrating and full of hidden surprises. It will probably be the most stressful part of your stay – so getting informed and keeping motivated is important.
The Czech rental market has little or no regulation. Flats may be in any condition whatsoever. Equipment like stoves, fridges or even toilets may not be working or simply not exist. Whether a flat is clean, painted or even inhabitable is entirely up to the person letting it to you, and it is hard to legally argue your case if there are disputes.
In some places in the Czech Republic, it can be difficult to find good places to rent at affordable prices. Prague has the largest selection by far, but even there it is not always easy to find an acceptable flat at a reasonable price. However, in contrast to the rest of the Czech Republic people in Prague do have experiences with foreigners and, most of the time, speak English.
Outside of the capital be prepared for a couple of months of looking around, visiting and negotiating before you find somewhere to live. When you finally find the right place, make sure you hang onto it!
As with anywhere, rental costs vary widely across the Czech Republic depending on the area, location and quality of the accommodation. Often there are big differences between rents for similar flats in the same neighbourhoods, so looking around will pay off.
A typical price for a small flat in a small town or village is about 5,000 CZK per month. In bigger cities, like Brno, Ostrava or Olomouc you will have to pay about 7,500 CZK. In Prague, rents start at about 10,000 CZK, with 12,000 CZK being typical. Lots of apartments, however, are rented out for sums a lot higher than that.
Renting requires a bit of planning, lots of compromise and cash up front. We also recommend you consider getting local assistance as this can really help avoid learning the hard (and expensive) way. Most importantly, you will need to gather your reserves of patience and keep cool.