First month in a Prague rental: the move-in checklist

You have the keys, a suitcase and a landlord in the hallway holding a clipboard. It feels like a formality. It is the most important half hour of the tenancy, because what you agree now is what you will be measured against in a year.

Day one: the handover

A Czech landlord should give you a handover protocol (předávací protokol): a document listing the state of the flat, the inventory and the meter readings. If they do not, write one together. A shared note signed by both of you beats nothing.

The protocol protects both sides and settles arguments about wear and tear. Ordinary use is not damage you pay for, but marks that were there before you must be on paper.

Meters and energy contracts

In most Prague rentals, electricity and gas are supplied under a contract in the tenant's name. The readings at handover tell the supplier where the previous occupant's bill stops and yours starts. Ask the landlord for the supplier's details and the old customer number, then contact the supplier with the date and readings. Water and heating are often billed through the building as service advances; who pays what explains the split.

You can switch supplier for electricity and gas, and the Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ) publishes consumer information. Do not sign a new contract on the doorstep because a salesperson says you must.

Reporting your address

Where you live has to be reported, and the rule depends on who you are.

• EU citizens staying more than 30 days report their place of stay within 30 days.
• Third-country nationals report to the foreign police within 3 working days of arrival. Hotels and other accommodation providers do this for guests, so in a private flat check whether you or the landlord handles it.
• Residence permit holders report later address changes to the Ministry of the Interior (OAMP), not the police.

That is the position in 2026; check mvcr.cz for current forms and deadlines. In most cases you will need the owner's written confirmation that you may register at the address, so ask for it when you sign the lease. The wider list of early admin is in our first-week checklist.

The first fortnight

Report defects that were not on the protocol quickly, in writing, with photos. A leaking tap on day three is the landlord's problem. A leaking tap you mention on day 300 is an argument. Small repairs from everyday use are normally the tenant's cost under Government decree 308/2015 Sb., and larger ones fall on the owner; the lease may add detail.

Take out household insurance. The landlord's building policy will not cover your laptop.

Settling in properly

Find the fuse box and the main water stopcock on day one, before something drips. Test the hob, oven, boiler, washing machine and any smoke alarms, and write down what does not work. Ask how the heating is controlled: in many Prague buildings it comes from a central system and the radiator valves are your only dial.

Learn the bin routine. Most buildings have separate containers for paper, plastic, glass and mixed waste, with a collection schedule at the entrance. Ask a neighbour about bulky waste and the nearest collection yard.

Ask the neighbours, too, who deals with repairs in the common areas, whether the building has known problems with damp, noise or the lift, and who the administrator or owners' association (SVJ) contact is. Neighbours remember the tenant who said hello on day one.

If a language gap makes phone calls risky, keep the trail in writing. Our guide to renting with no Czech has tips.

The deposit starts here

Your deposit (jistota) is capped at three months' rent and must be returned at the end of the lease, less valid claims. Keep the receipt or transfer record and the signed protocol in one folder, with the lease, the photos and the meter readings. When the time comes, ending a rental in Prague explains the exit. If you have not yet paid anything, read the rental scams guide first.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to sign a handover protocol?

No law forces you, but it is standard practice and your best protection. Insist on one.

Who pays for the electricity in a rented flat?

Normally the tenant, under a contract in their name, but check your lease.

Do I need the landlord's permission to register my address?

Registration normally requires the owner's agreement, so ask for it in writing when you sign.

What if the flat is dirty or damaged on arrival?

Write it on the protocol and photograph it. Ask for it to be fixed or cleaned by a set date.

This is a general explainer, not legal or tax advice.