How do you rent a home in the Czech Republic in 2026?

Most newcomers start on Sreality.cz and Bezrealitky.cz. Sreality is the broad marketplace with agency and private stock. Bezrealitky is stronger for direct owner deals without an agency middle layer. Facebook housing groups and company relocation desks fill gaps, especially in Prague and Brno. In practice, many good flats appear in more than one place, so the real advantage comes from checking several channels daily.

City choice still matters before you apply. Prague has the deepest stock but also the sharpest competition in Vinohrady, Karlín, and similar districts. Brno is smaller but central and tram-linked areas disappear fast. Ostrava may stretch the budget further. Use Where to live in the Czech Republic, Living in Prague, and Living in Brno before sending applications everywhere.

Ask for the full monthly bill in plain language. In Czechia, one ad may show nájemné (rent) only, while another folds in zálohy na služby (service advances) and leaves electricity outside. You need the breakdown before you compare anything honestly.

Ask whether the landlord will sign accommodation confirmation suitable for Interior Ministry residence files, not only a casual chat about living there. MOI proof of accommodation rules are stricter than a tourist hotel stamp. Also ask whether the address will support Foreign Police reporting if a hotel is not filing for you.

Agency commission still appears on some deals. Confirm who pays, how much, and whether the fee is due before keys. Refuse any request to transfer kauce (deposit) before you have viewed the flat and read a written contract.

Landlords and agents usually want passport or EU ID, proof of income or employment, and sometimes proof of lawful stay if you are not an EU citizen. A Czech bank account helps once you have one, but many arrivals rent first and open the account after moving. See Open a bank account.

Always view in person or send a trusted person. Check heating type, noise, stairwell condition, metro or tram access, and whether the district feels different at night or in rush hour. In Prague, route quality can matter as much as district prestige. In Brno, student-zone noise matters more than first-time movers expect.

Document the flat's condition with a předávací protokol (handover protocol) and photos at move-in. That paper protects your deposit later. Contract cash rules sit in Rental contracts and deposits.