We offer short term accommodation for the duration of the course, but if you decide to stay in Prague after the course you will need to find long term accommodation. We are here to help you with this but the information below will serve as a guide to help you find accommodation in Prague.
Important! Connection to Long-Term Visa
If you are planning on applying for a long-term visa (over 90 days stay) in the Czech Republic, it is very important to start looking for a long-term place to stay as soon as possible. A long-term housing contract is a part of your visa application and without it, it is not possible to apply for a visa. We recommend starting the search for a long-term place to stay as soon as you arrive in Prague. Getting long-term accommodation right away shortens your visa process significantly. When looking for a flat, make sure the owner knows and agrees to sign the legal documentation for your visa – (confirmation of the accommodation form and the business address agreement).
Looking for a Place
When you are looking for a place, you can either use a real estate agent or search on your own.
If you decide to get help from a real estate agent, you need to be aware that it will cost you more money at the beginning as the real estate agents will usually charge 1-2 months’ rent for their services. As an example, if you agree to rent that is 10,000 CZK, you might need to pay a security deposit to the owner, which is usually 1 months’ rent, as well as pay another 1-2 months’ rent (10-20,000 CZK) to the real estate agency. In this scenario, you could end up paying 30,000-40,000 CZK in the beginning, which is a significant amount and likely requires having some savings.
When you are looking for a place on your own, be careful because the owner might ask for more than you would pay if you were using a real estate agent. Also, be very careful to rent an apartment directly from an owner, as there is no agency to ensure you are not being taken advantage of. For example, the owner might want you to register utility bills such as electricity, internet, and gas in your name, which can be a challenge for someone who doesn’t speak Czech.
The good news is that there are multiple foreigner-friendly websites that are very useful when looking for accommodation and have helped our students in the past.
- Expats: http://www.expats.cz/praguerealestate/?Nav
- Foreigners: http://www.foreigners.cz/real-estate/apartment/rent/prague
- BezRealitky: https://www.bezrealitky.cz/ (in Czech)
- Seznam: https://www.sreality.cz/hledani/pronajem/byty/praha (in Czech)
Don’t underestimate Facebook, there are a lot of good deals there as well! If you see a flat you like, you need to be quick because the offers are usually gone within a few hours. Here are some of the Facebook groups (but you can find a lot more):
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/524182954269921/?fref=ts
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/housinginprague/?fref=ts
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/flatsprague/?fref=ts
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/PrahaBydleni
TEFL Worldwide Prague Tip: The popularity of Airbnb is rapidly increasing in Prague and it’s a good and affordable solution, if you are looking for something short-term. https://www.airbnb.cz/
Types of Houses in Prague
Činžovní dům (činžák) – Four or five-story prewar buildings, constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, often without elevators.
Panelák– nine to eleven story buildings, many of which were constructed during the communist era. The goal was to build cheaply and effectively, so the apartments in these buildings look similar all over the country. The condition of their interior may vary greatly, even within the same building. Since many of these apartment complexes have not been remodeled after their construction (which may date back to the 1950s), their condition really depends on how the previous tenants have taken care of the flat.
Rodinný dům– Detached or semi-detached single-family houses.
Ownership
The ownership of a flat you are renting is important, as you need a signature of the owner for a confirmation of your rent for visa purposes. There are two main types of ownership.
Osobní – the flat is owned by an individual person, you need a signature of that person, if it is owned by more than one person, you need a signature of the majority of owners.
Družstevní – the flat is owned by a housing cooperative which is an entity/company (with a lot of members) that owns the real estate. Each shareholder has the right to occupy one housing unit within the real estate. In this case you mainly need a signature of the housing cooperative executives.
Apartment Categorization
When looking for a flat you will come across following categorization of flats.
Garsonka = one room with a kitchen in it
1+kk = one room + kitchenette
1+1 = one room + full kitchen
2+kk = two rooms + kitchenette
2+1 = two rooms + full kitchen
Prices
The prices of accommodation differ in Prague and it mostly depends on factors, such as location (center vs. suburb), size, and whether it is a furnished or unfurnished flat.
The flats in the center are the most expensive ones and the average price for a 2+kk in the center is 15,000 CZK per month. The average price for a flat 2+kk in the suburbs is around 10,000 CZK. When you are renting just a room, count on paying 8,000-12,000 CZK per month.
Average Rent – Suburbs vs. Center
12,000 CZK for a studio in the center 9,000 CZK for a studio in suburbs
15,000 CZK for a 2-room flat in the center 12,000 CZK for a 2-room flat in suburbs
Utilities may or may not be included in the rental price. Make sure to check this prior to signing any agreement, as utilities can add a significant amount to your monthly expenses. For apartments in the price range mentioned above, utilities usually cost between 1,500 CZK and 4,000 CZK. Be careful as the prices are usually listed as the price for rent + price for services and utilities. (e.g. 8,000 + 2,500, in this case you will be paying 10,500 CZK all together). The services and utilities usually include a fee for cleaning the common rooms of the building, fee for garbage pick-up, electricity, and gas. The electricity and gas are usually in a form of a flexible deposit – if you use more gas and electricity than what you are paying for, you will have to pay the rest once the yearly bill of cost comes. If you are using less, your money will be returned.
TEFL Worldwide Prague Tip: Flatsharing is a great way of saving money because you can afford a more expensive flats and still pay less than 10,000 CZK. At times, you can find a very large room where the price is much lower than that of a 1+kk apartment of the same size.
TEFL Worldwide Prague Tip: Don’t be afraid of renting a place outside the center of Prague. Prague is well-known for its reliable public transport, so commuting from the suburbs to the city center won’t take more than 30 min, in many cases even less. Although Prague officially has 22 districts, our recommendation is not to look further than Prague 15. Even though the further from the center, the cheaper, it might not be practical for you because your commute time could increase too much. We can always offer advice if you find a flat in the suburban areas but are concerned about the commute time.
Pets and Other Rules
Some landlords won’t allow pets but it shouldn’t be a problem to find accommodation that allows pets. The Czech Republic is very dog friendly country for example with over 40% of the population owning dogs (the second highest in the EU).
Prague Districts Explained
Prague 1 – Staré Město, Nové Město, Josefov, Malá Strana
Prague 1 is the very center of the city. As it is one of the oldest parts of Prague, you will find many old buildings, monuments, sights and historical treasures there. The city center is full of restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops. It is also the most popular tourist district, meaning that the prices are higher than in other parts of Prague. You will mostly find older five-story buildings there with nicely renovated flats. Since it is the center of Prague, the prices for housing are the most expensive.
Prague 2 – Vinohrady, Vyšehrad
Prague 2 is a popular district for expats, as it is very close to the center, but the prices are lower than in the center itself. The former vineyard district has one of the nicest parks in Prague – Riegrovy Sady, which is famous for its beer gardens and great views of the Prague Castle. Another interesting feature of Prague 2 is the Vyšehrad fortress, which is one of the initial settlements preceding the actual city of Prague. In general, Prague 2 can offer a lot of cheap bars, restaurant, and cafés, but also beautiful prewar architecture. It is close to the center, so the flats are still quite expensive, but many have had luck with finding affordable places as well.
Prague 3 – Žižkov
Žižkov is also popular with expats. One of the most dominant sights of Žižkov is the TV tower, which you can visit and go to the top of for a beautiful view of the entire city. In the past, Žižkov was a district occupied mainly by workers, so you will find simple 4-story buildings there. Recently, there has been a lot of investment going into rebuilding and renovating the district, so Žižkov has risen in popularity.
Prague 4 – Nusle, Podolí, Braník
Parts of Prague 4 are desired mainly because of its location near the Vltava River and the affordable housing. At the moment, there is no direct metro connection (although one is planned), however, many buses and trams go there, ensuring very fast and efficient ways of transport into the city center. It is considered one of the safest districts with a lot of cheap dining facilities, access to the river and golf courses. There are many panel buildings from the post-war era with flats for affordable prices.
Prague 5 – Smíchov, Radlice, Košíře, Motol
Prague 5 is known for its vivid nightlife, especially Smíchov and Anděl, which are close to the Vltava river. At Anděl, there is one of the biggest shopping centres in Prague, surrounded by different small shops, a park and two cinemas. It is a former industrial district but there are many offices in the area. Up the hill from Anděl, you will find more residential areas of Prague 5 with simple five-story buildings from the prewar era and if you continue further, you will find suburbs with many blocks of flats. The more up the hill, the more affordable the housing. The suburbs are still very well connected with trams and buses.
Prague 6 – Dejvice, Břevnov, Bubeneč
Prague 6 is a district that is closest to the Prague airport and some parts of it are very close to the Prague Castle. There are many villas in the area and the highest number of embassies of any districts in the city. Divoká Šárka, one of the most beautiful parks in Prague, is situated in this area and is ideal for many types of sport. The housing consists mostly of blocks of flats on the outskirts and five story buildings closer to the center.
Prague 7 – Letná, Holešovice, Troja
Once a purely industrial part of the city, Holešovice is now growing in popularity due to investment and flats in the neighbourhood are in high demand. Holešovice is one of the parts of Prague that ended up on the Independent List, as one of the ‘coolest neighbourhoods in Europe’ and is getting more expensive. It is mostly made of prewar buildings that have been reconstructed in recent years and modern buildings are being built every day. It is very close to the Prague Zoo and it has two of Prague’s most beautiful parks: Letná and Stromovka. Letná has famous beer gardens and lovely Prague views and Stromovka is a park full of squirrels, paths, ponds, and ducks. Both of these parks regularly host summer music festivals and sport competitions. Prague 7 has a lot to offer in terms of culture as well. The main exhibition center, Výstavište, and the modern art gallery and DOX, are located there.
Prague 8 – Karlín, Libeň, Kobylisy
Karlín, once a forgotten district, has been experiencing its rebirth in recent years. Here you will find picturesque architecture of prewar buildings and flats that are becoming quite expensive. A lot of cosy cafés, pubs, and restaurants are located here, along with many office buildings and places for leisure, such as music halls and theaters. Karlín is very close to the river, therefore, it can be one of the most affected districts by floods. The main bus station Florenc is also situated in Prague 8, with buses leaving to all parts of Europe. Libeň and Kobylisy are residential areas with few cafes and restaurants, but well-connected via the metro, trams, and busses.
Prague 9 – Vysočany, Prosek, Letňany, Černý Most
Prague 9 is a mostly residential district. It is quite far from the city center, but it is well-connected with the center through the metro. You will find affordable housing in Prague 9, mostly blocks of flats and suburbs with lots of shops. Černý Most is one of the most popular shopping districts, as there are many stores with furniture (including IKEA), electronics, and hobby items. Prague 9 has a lot to offer in terms of culture as well. It is the home of the O2 arena as well as theaters, exhibitions and cinemas. There is a large swimming pool next to an ice arena, where you can play ice hockey or ice skate.
Prague 10 – Strašnice, Vršovice, Hostivař
Prague 10 is another residential districts of Prague full of parks and bordering with a forest.
One of the most pleasant outdoor areas there is the Hostivař dam, which is open for swimming in the summer and for ice skating in the winter. There is a metro station in only one part of Prague 10, but it is mostly connected with the buses and trams. Strašnice and Vršovice are closer to the center, where you can find many four-story buildings for affordable prices. Further away from the center in Hostivař, there are mainly neighbourhoods filled with block of flats.
Viewing
When a landlord agrees to show you the flat you are interested in, we recommend taking a friend with you as it is always better to have someone else’s opinion and second set of eyes. Be careful about fake adverts, for example: places that are spacious and luxurious according to pictures, in a very good location but for a price that is too low; these things suggest that it is a fake advert or not honest practice, so always beware of these scams. No matter where you are in the world, it is always risky to rent a place without seeing it first.
Signing a Contract
The standard length of a contract in the Czech Republic is 1 year but you can agree on a longer/shorter period with the owner. The landlords are usually less open to shorter contract lengths than the longer ones, but it depends on what you agree on with them.
The contracts must always be in writing and all parties need to have a copy of the contract. If the owner does not want to write out an agreement, either insist on it or walk away. A verbal contract has no legality and leaves you completely unprotected. Before signing the contract, have a native Czech speaker look at it to avoid agreeing to a contract which is not in your best interest or is unfair. Feel free to send it to us at TEFL Worldwide Prague; we will be happy to read through it and look for potential issues. Don’t be afraid to suggest changes and adjust the contract that was initially offered in order to create a contract that works better for you. Sometimes landlords try suggesting a contract with many conditions for the tenant but limits the tenant’s rights, so always read through the contract! If there is anything that you don’t understand in the contract, don’t be afraid to ask about it.
Here are a few tips for what to look at when signing a contract.
- Make sure that there is a way for you to terminate the contract. The usual practice is that you can terminate under the condition of a three-month notice. Make sure that the same goes to the landlord and if they decide to terminate the contract, they have to give you at least three-months’ notice as well as provide a reason for termination.
- Make sure that the rent is clearly stated, and the specifics of the payment are in the contract, especially stating when rent is due and how you need to pay it (bank account/cash etc.).
- Do not pay anything before you have it all in writing and when you do make a deposit or payment, always ask for a receipt.
- It is also quite usual for the landlords to require a security deposits. The security deposit usually equals 1-2 months’ rent and is used in case of emergencies or to repair any damages made by the tenant. When you are moving out and the flat is in the same condition as when you moved in, the safety deposit will be returned to you. When you are moving in, we recommend taking pictures of things in the flat that are slightly broken, dirty, or worn out so it can’t be used against you later.
- One last thing, if there is anything that runs on gas in your flat, make sure it has been checked. The landlord should not have a problem with showing you the receipt or the confirmation that the gas heater/kitchen stove or any other equipment have been properly checked. (By law it should be checked every year prevent any problems).
TEFL Worldwide Prague Assistance
We are here to help with finding long-term accommodation if you need it. We can help with the search, translations, and if needed, we can go to the viewing with you as well.
We hope this information has been helpful to you. Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or have any questions about renting a flat in Prague. We are here to help you.
