Renting or purchasing property is of course one of the basic concerns when you move abroad, and it can be a serious challenge because laws and customs differ widely from country to country. The system here in the Czech Republic may involve a few features which you are not familiar with, but in general the real estate scene is not overly complicated, and many regulations and restrictions have been eased in recent years. Graphic @Casadei Graphics
Firstly, there is the matter of finding the right place. The demand for flats in the city is high, and the number of available places limited. Allow enough time for your search: if you are under time pressure, you might end up picking a place you are not that happy with or paying more than you are comfortable with.
You can either search independently, or use the services of a real estate agency. You can find a list of websites through which to search for properties on your own, as well as a list of Brno Expat Centre verified real estate agencies in their infosheet: Accommodation and property.
Secondly, there is the matter of the lease itself after you have decided on a place. Make sure you are in a position to understand exactly what you are signing in your lease agreement. If you use the services of an agency, they should be able to provide you with an English translation of the lease. If your landlord does not provide it, you can ask Brno Expat Centre to have a look through it.
Focus on the ownership of the flat/house- only the owner (or an individual with power of attorney to represent the owner) can lease. However, many flats in the Czech Republic are in fact owned by local authorities, and it is illegal to sublet these flats. Only an extract from the property register ensures that you are renting a flat legally.
Make sure that you also understand the way your rent, the security deposit and the duration of the lease are described in your contract.
You can learn more about renting and also about purchasing a property in the BEC infosheet Accommodation and Housing.
Also, you can attend the BEC Seminar Housing and Real Estate (22 March) to listen to experts in the field.
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