Renting a Home in Prague: What to Check During a Viewing

Come prepared with the right question

Photographs help you decide which apartments to visit, but a viewing is your chance to find out whether a home really meets your needs. Before the appointment, read the listing again and note three things to clarify: which furnishings are included, the total cost of the accommodation, and when it will be available. Think about your priorities, too, such as space to work from home or a convenient connection to your university. If you are comparing several rental properties in Prague, ask the same questions at each viewing. This will make it easier to decide without relying solely on your first impression.

Look beyond the photographs, even online

During the viewing, take time to examine each room. Open the windows, assess the natural light and listen for noise from the street. Check the corners of the walls and the areas around the windows for signs of damp. In the kitchen and bathroom, ask to test the taps and find out how the hot water and heating work. Confirm which furniture and appliances will remain in the apartment: some items shown in the photographs may belong to the current tenant.

If you are looking for a home from abroad, request a live video viewing rather than relying only on photographs or recorded videos. Ask the person conducting the viewing to show you each room without cuts, open the cupboards, and show you the entrance and shared areas. Request additional photographs of details that are difficult to see on screen. An online viewing can help you make an initial assessment, although noise and smells are harder to judge remotely.

Clarify the actual monthly cost

The rent shown in the listing may be only part of the total cost. Ask for a separate breakdown of rent, advance payments for services, and electricity or gas. Check which costs are included, which are paid separately, and how service charges will be reconciled with actual costs. If available, a previous statement of charges can provide a useful reference, although your consumption may differ.

The Czech Ministry for Regional Development distinguishes rent from charges for services such as water, heating, waste collection and lighting in shared areas. Clarifying these costs during the viewing helps you compare apartments that appear to have the same price but may involve different monthly expenses.

Confirm the details before deciding

If you are interested in the apartment, ask when it will be available, which repairs will be completed and what furnishings will be there when you move in. Ask for written confirmation of the points that matter most before making a commitment.

The viewing is the time to identify and discuss any problems. The apartment’s condition should then be documented when it is handed over: the handover report should record defects, furnishings, keys and meter readings, ideally with photographs. This is the procedure recommended by the Czech Ministry for Regional Development to protect both parties. Whether you view the apartment in person or online, precise questions and clear information will help you choose your next home in Prague with greater confidence.

Source: Czech Ministry for Regional Development — Transferring utilities and handing over an apartment at the start of a tenancy  (in Czech)

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