Czech for Renting a Flat: The Phrases to Know Before You Meet Your Landlord

The flat viewing is quick. The questions you need to ask are not always in English.

You are checking the light, opening cupboards and trying to remember whether the tram stop was five minutes away or fifteen. At the same time, the landlord is explaining the deposit, utility payments and move-in date. One unfamiliar word can hide an important detail.

This is why Czech for expats should begin with the situations that shape your actual life. A few prepared questions can help you slow the conversation down, understand the monthly cost and leave with clear next steps.

This guide gives you practical Czech phrases for renting an apartment in Czechia. Use them at the viewing, when discussing the contract, when arranging repairs and when writing to your landlord afterwards.

This is a language guide, not legal advice. Rental terms vary. If anything in a contract is unclear, have it checked before you sign.

Learn the words behind the advert

Czech rental listings contain a small group of words that appear again and again. Learn these before you book a viewing.

Czech	English	What it means in practice
byt	flat / apartment	The property itself
pronájem	rental	A property offered for rent
nájemné	rent	The base monthly rent
poplatky	charges / fees	Often building services, water or heating
zálohy	advance payments	Regular payments later compared with actual use
energie	utilities / energy	Usually electricity and gas; arrangements vary
kauce / jistota	security deposit	Money held against unpaid amounts or damage
provize	agency commission	A one-off payment to the estate agent
nájemní smlouva	tenancy agreement	The contract between tenant and landlord
předávací protokol	handover report	A record of condition, equipment, keys and meter readings
pronajímatel / pronajímatelka	landlord	The person renting the property to you
nájemce / nájemkyně	tenant	The person renting the property

Do not treat nájemné, poplatky and energie as one number. Utilities may be paid to the landlord or directly to providers, and advertised prices do not always include every monthly charge. (This article from Brno Expat centre details more about rights and obligations)

Start the viewing well

Begin formally. Use Dobrý den, even if the landlord seems relaxed. Czech distinguishes between formal vy and informal ty. A landlord, agent or building manager is a formal relationship until they clearly suggest otherwise.

Your first line can be simple:

Dobrý den, jsem tady na prohlídku bytu.
Good day, I am here for the flat viewing.

Then confirm the basics:

Je byt stále k dispozici?
Is the flat still available?

Od kdy je byt volný?
From when is the flat available?

Je byt zařízený?
Is the flat furnished?

Jak se byt vytápí?
How is the flat heated?

Je v bytě internet?
Is there internet in the flat?

If you already know that you want the flat, say so clearly:

O byt mám vážný zájem.
I am seriously interested in the flat.

This sounds confident without creating a commitment. You are expressing interest, not agreeing to terms you have not seen.

Ask for the real monthly cost

The most important number is not always the large number in the advert. Ask what the rent includes and which costs sit outside it. Official Czech guidance recommends that a tenancy agreement identify the rent, due date, services, utility arrangements and security deposit clearly. (read more from this article on lease agreements from the regional ministry)

Use these questions:

Kolik je měsíční nájemné?
How much is the monthly rent?

Co přesně zahrnují poplatky?
What exactly do the charges include?

Kolik se platí měsíčně za energie a služby?
How much is paid monthly for utilities and services?

Platí se elektřina a plyn zvlášť?
Are electricity and gas paid separately?

Přepisuje se elektřina a plyn na nájemce?
Are the electricity and gas accounts transferred to the tenant?

Kdy probíhá roční vyúčtování?
When does the annual reconciliation take place?

The word vyúčtování matters. Where you pay monthly zálohy, those advance payments are later compared with actual consumption. The result may be an overpayment or an amount still due.

Do not leave the viewing with “around 25,000 crowns” in your notes. Write down the base rent, charges, energy, internet and any agency fee separately.

Clarify the deposit

The everyday word is kauce. You may also see jistota in the contract. Ask about it directly:

Jak vysoká je kauce?
How much is the security deposit?

Kdy se kauce platí?
When is the deposit paid?

Za jakých podmínek se kauce vrací?
Under what conditions is the deposit returned?

Můžu kauci zaplatit ve dvou splátkách?
Can I pay the deposit in two instalments?

The Brno Expat Centre explains that a rental deposit can be up to three times the monthly rent, although one or two months is more common in practice. Treat that as a reason to read carefully, not as a substitute for advice on your particular contract.

If an agent is involved, add:

Jak vysoká je provize?
How much is the commission?

Je provize včetně DPH?
Does the commission include VAT?

You need a total move-in figure: first rent, deposit, commission and any initial utility payment. Ask for that figure in writing.

Read before you agree

Speed is useful when the market is competitive. It is not useful when you are signing a document you do not understand.

Můžete mi prosím poslat návrh nájemní smlouvy?
Could you please send me the draft tenancy agreement?

Mohu si smlouvu před podpisem v klidu přečíst?
May I read the contract carefully before signing?

Je nájem na dobu určitou, nebo neurčitou?
Is the tenancy for a fixed or indefinite period?

Jak dlouhá je výpovědní lhůta?
How long is the notice period?

Můžete mi vystavit potvrzení o ubytování?
Can you issue proof of accommodation for me?

Before sending money, verify who owns or is authorised to let the property. Prague’s Expat Centre advises tenants to check the Land Registry, avoid paying before a contract is signed and document the property’s condition at handover.

At move-in, use one precise question:

Zapíšeme všechny závady a stavy měřidel do předávacího protokolu?
Shall we record all defects and meter readings in the handover report?

Take dated photographs. Record existing marks, damaged furniture, appliance condition, meter readings and the number of keys. A careful předávací protokol protects clarity on both sides.

Report repairs precisely

“Something is wrong” creates another round of questions. A useful repair message names the room, the problem, when it began and when access is possible.

Problem	Czech phrase	English
Heating	Topení nefunguje.	The heating is not working.
Hot water	Neteče teplá voda.	There is no hot water.
Leaking tap	Teče kohoutek.	The tap is leaking.
Leaking toilet	Protéká toaleta.	The toilet is leaking.
Window	Okno nejde zavřít.	The window will not close.
Electricity	V kuchyni nejde elektřina.	The electricity is not working in the kitchen.
Mould	V ložnici se objevila plíseň.	Mould has appeared in the bedroom.

Then make the request:

Můžete prosím zajistit opravu?
Could you please arrange the repair?

Můžete prosím poslat opraváře?
Could you please send a repair person?

Je to naléhavé.
It is urgent.

Do not overstate a minor problem. Be calm and factual. If water is spreading, there is a gas smell or the situation is unsafe, contact the appropriate emergency service rather than waiting for a language-perfect message.

Arrange access clearly

The Czech word termín means an agreed time or appointment. Once a landlord or tradesperson proposes one, respond with a direct sentence.

Termín v úterý v 18:00 mi vyhovuje.
Tuesday at 18:00 works for me.

Tento termín mi bohužel nevyhovuje.
Unfortunately, this time does not work for me.

Můžeme se domluvit na jiném termínu?
Can we agree on another time?

Budu doma ve středu od 17:00.
I will be at home on Wednesday from 17:00.

Prosím, dejte mi předem vědět, kdy přijdete.
Please let me know in advance when you will come.

Přijde majitel, nebo opravář?
Will the landlord or the repair person come?

These are small sentences with a large practical effect. They prevent an unclear “sometime tomorrow” from becoming a missed visit.

Send a polite follow-up

A good Czech message is shorter than many English speakers expect. Use a greeting, state the issue, make one request and close politely.

After the viewing

Dobrý den, paní Nováková,
děkuji za dnešní prohlídku. O byt mám zájem. Můžete mi prosím poslat návrh nájemní smlouvy a přehled měsíčních poplatků?
Děkuji a přeji hezký den.

Good day, Ms Nováková,
Thank you for today’s viewing. I am interested in the flat. Could you please send me the draft tenancy agreement and a breakdown of the monthly charges?
Thank you, and have a nice day.

Reporting a repair

Dobrý den, pane Nováku,
v koupelně teče voda pod umyvadlem. Začalo to dnes ráno. Posílám fotografie. Můžete prosím zajistit opravu? Doma budu zítra po 17. hodině.
Děkuji.

Good day, Mr Novák,
Water is leaking under the bathroom sink. It started this morning. I am sending photographs. Could you please arrange a repair? I will be home tomorrow after 17:00.
Thank you.

Following up

Dobrý den, připomínám prosím naši domluvu ohledně opravy topení. Topení stále nefunguje. Můžete mi potvrdit termín opravy? Děkuji.

Good day, I am following up on our arrangement concerning the heating repair. The heating is still not working. Could you confirm the repair appointment? Thank you.

Notice paní Nováková and pane Nováku. Czech names change when you address someone directly. If you are unsure, a simple Dobrý den is safer than guessing the ending.

Recover when Czech moves fast

Your prepared question may work perfectly. The answer may not.

Keep these phrases ready:

Promiňte, nerozuměl/a jsem.
Sorry, I did not understand.

Můžete to prosím zopakovat?
Could you repeat that, please?

Můžete mluvit pomaleji, prosím?
Could you speak more slowly, please?

Můžete mi to napsat?
Could you write it down for me?

Rozumím správně, že poplatky nejsou zahrnuté v nájmu?
Do I understand correctly that the charges are not included in the rent?

The last phrase is especially useful. Repeat the detail in your own words and ask for confirmation. This is better than nodding through an explanation and discovering the real meaning later.

For more formal situations, the Czech Bureaucracy Survival Guide gives you a reliable set of phrases for appointments, documents and asking officials to repeat information.

Practise your actual viewing

Do not memorise every phrase on this page. Choose the ten that match the flat you are about to see.

Start with the basic sequence in Czech Lessons for Beginners: Your First 30 Days in Czechia: sounds and survival phrases first, then high-frequency verbs, practical routines and guided speaking. Next, create one short viewing script and one repair message using your own budget, dates and housing needs.

Then practise the unpredictable part. A landlord may answer quickly, use a different word or ask a question you did not expect. Short 20-minute Czech conversation sessions give you space to rehearse the situation, hear natural responses and correct the phrase before the real viewing.

Build Czech around your home

Your flat is not only an address. It is where your new Czech life begins: the neighbour at the lift, the message from the building manager, the plumber at the door and the first quiet evening after the boxes are unpacked.

Czech Atelier builds individual Czech lessons for expats and families around those real conversations, from housing and administration to work and everyday life.

Learn Czech for the life you are building here. Book a Czech conversation session today.