The Czech real estate market offers many possibilities for both rental and purchase with a broad price range. You can choose from family houses, luxury residences or flats in blocks of flats, brick houses or modern residential developments.
For short stays in the Czech Republic (or while looking for a flat/house) you may need to book a hotel room or holiday apartment. The following websites may help you: Hotel Mazanka or Sreality (only in Czech).
Renting
This is the most common and easiest way of living. The most feasible option for foreigners is usually to find a rental property through a real estate agency. However, it is also possible to find housing without a real estate agency and deal directly with the owner.
This is the most common and easiest way of living. The most feasible option for foreigners is usually to find a rental property through a real estate agency. Rent agreed through a real estate agency is usually more expensive than private agreements. However, the advantage of this choice is that the real estate agency provides legal services - rental contract and other formalities. In case of any problem while you are renting the property, you can turn to the agency. It is common practice to pay an extra one month's rent as an agency fee. You may also contact us to obtain contacts for Real Estate Agencies.
In the Czech Republic there are a large number of real estate agencies, mostly specializing in a certain region. However, it is also possible to find housing without a real estate agency and deal directly with the owner. For this option, there are specialized websites (such as http://Bezrealitky.cz). You need to fill in the first field "Město"(town/city) and you can also specify a quarter or street around which to search. You can also modify your search ("byt" is a flat, "nabídka pronájem" is rental offers, "od" is minimum price and "do" is maximum price). If you let us know your wishes, we can also help you with your search.
Purchasing
A foreigner can buy a house or a flat in the Czech Republic if he/she has a permanent residence permit or with granted asylum, by an alien with a residence permit card for a state citizen of a member state of the European Communities, or by a legal entity with its registered office in the Czech Republic.
A foreigner can buy a house or a flat in the Czech Republic if he/she is a citizen of the EU or of the USA, has a permanent residence permit or was granted asylum.
It is possible to arrange a mortgage (if needed) directly with a bank, and the house purchase directly with the seller. Alternatively, a real estate agency or construction company (property developer) can do these jobs for you, which may be easier, but they do usually charge a commission of between 3 and 4 % of the real property price.
In case you decide to find a house or a flat without a real estate agency involved at all, there are specialized websites (Bezrealitky.cz, and Sreality.cz).
- Is the real estate agency or the property developer credible?
- Who are the neighbours?
- How is the neighbourhood?
- What are the plans for construction in the neighbourhood?
- What is the condition of the roof? Have the technical systems (pipes and electrical system) been replaced?
- How high are the monthly/yearly charges (heating, renewal fund, etc.)?
- to obtain a statement from the Land Registry before signing any contract (this will show who is the legal owner of the property you wish to buy, whether there are any loans/debts owing on the property, its size and exact location).
- to check whether the property lies in a flood-prone area.
- to get a report on the state of the property.
- to transfer all money via a Notary ("Notář"), Lawyer ("Advokát") or via a Bank who is insured for making transfers of large sums, on the basis of a written agreement.
- to agree whether the seller or the purchaser (you) will pay the property transfer tax (N.B. since 2014 it is automatically the purchaser's responsibility unless specified otherwise in the sale contract).
- to check whether VAT is applicable (this applies especially to new builds and newly renovated properties and is usually 15%), and if so, whether it is included in the quoted price.
- to compare the price asked for the property with the average price in the area.
- to consult a lawyer on all contracts.