The easiest part. Enjoy Prague and the apartment. Report immediately to the Landlord and the real estate agent any problem. What to do if something breaks or malfunctions. Have fun. However, remember the moment you have to give back the keys of the apartment to the property owner. more…
1. What you must absolutely test in the flat the first 3-4 days?
» This is it. Search it. Explore it. Make some tests to be sure
These tests should first be made in the searching phase but sometimes isn’t possible.
Imagine that you look a house and you have to wait for the hot water to be ready in 20 minutes or wait for some time the oven to see if it is working properly and other things.
So that’s why we put a clause in the contract that if something isn’t working properly you can leave the premises without a problem the first days.
Test the boiler to see how fast the water is boiled. Make a bath and see if it is leaking from somewhere. Can you make a bath whenever you want?
Test the oven, if there is one, and all electrical appliances.
Open again all lights and all the electrical equipment and leave those open for an hour or more.
See what happens. If the general safety switch falls down there might be problems when you want to wait for the electrical boiler for water and you want to read something while waiting and have the laptop in front of you….
Report any problems you find immediately and ask the landlord to rectify them, of course make the notice in writing, e-mail , sms or something and inform the real estate agent too with the same way…
A. Remember
Gas vs. Electricity
Heat = with gas is the best you can have in Prague. In minutes you have hot water…
Electricity = old buildings like those in Prague may have problems with electricity. Because they can’t easily, it is not permitted some times to dig in old walls and put top of the level electrical wires and boards. So they invent ways to install them in a non scientific way…
B. Ask for phone installation the very first days. Needs time, maybe 20 days, for having a land line phone so you can have fast internet and cheap skype type communication…Put your land lord to do it or the real estate agent…because you can’t speak Czech … Especially when you give them the deposit they will not say No to you…
› When you see flaws in the floors or in the ceiling, inform the landlord and the real estate agent.
2. Tenant’s code?
»Tenants Code
- Promptly report any disrepair, and allow reasonable access for inspection, repair and viewing.
- Behave in a responsible and courteous manner with due consideration for neighbours and owners.
- Be aware of the needs of the community in which you live.
- Ensure no undue disturbance is caused, particularly at night.
- Take care of the property, its furniture and equipment.
- Treat fire detection and protection equipment responsibly.
- Bag domestic rubbish and leave for collection in the appropriate place on the appropriate day.
- Maintain the property in a clean and tidy condition.
Gas Safety
Your landlord must ensure that all gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for your use are safe. As a tenant, you have a right to:
- Gas fittings (appliances, pipe work) and flues being maintained in a safe condition
- An annual safety check carried out on each gas appliance/flue by a -registered gas installer. Checks need to have taken place within one year of the start of the tenancy/lease date, unless the appliances have been installed for less than 12 months, in which case they should be checked within 12 months of their installation date.
- A copy of the current safety check record issued to you within 28 days of the check being completed.
- A copy of the safety checks if you are about to move into rented accommodation.
Remember: safety checks are part of your legal rights. They ensure that your appliances are working effectively and guard against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Rubbish
When you meet your neighbours, find out which day bins are collected. Putting rubbish out before the allocated day is not only unpleasant but it could result in a penalty fine or something else…
A. Ask the neighbours about the building and its problems.
3. Having a party?
» Having the occasional party is everyone’s prerogative (although more than one a term could be considered excessive). If you decide to hold one hold it on the weekend! Even if you call it a “get together” it still makes a lot of noise!
Be considerate
- Give your neighbours (not just the immediate ones) plenty warning and let them know when you expect to finish
- Keep the music down! DJ decks are not appropriate in two up terraced housing
- Keep outside doors firmly shut and open sufficient small windowed for ventilation
- If the party starts outside in the summer, move inside at an appropriate time
- Keep regular checks on noise level, especially the bass
- Don’t have lots of parties at the same house
- Ask your guests to leave quietly
- Clear up debris
› If you receive a complaint from neighbours take responsibility and act on the complaint
4. The relationship with the landlord, what is harassment?
» Harassment and Illegal Eviction
A Landlord can be convicted of harassment if they:
- Behave in a way intended to interfere with your comfort of peace
- Constantly withhold services that you reasonably require to occupy the premises
- Knows what they are doing is likely to cause you to leave the premises or to stop you exercising the right to use services that you are entitled to.
Harassment can take the form of forced entry to the property, verbal intimidation, withholding services, violence or any other unnecessary interference.
A Landlord can commit the offence or illegal eviction by:
- Trying to evict you from your home following the legal procedure for this
- Behaving in a way intended to interfere with the peace and comfort
- Withholding or withdrawing services reasonably required by you to occupy the premises
A. In the contract define when a landlord can come inside your home and for what reason and for only that reason. Usually can come inside his property only for a serious reason such as fire or plumbing problems …something that can damage his property.
5. Insurance
» Check the home for safety locks on windows and doors.
It is good if you have laptops or other items that are expensive to insurance them.
Insurance
Burglary is on the increase. It is a false economy not to insure your possessions. Insurance varies by cover and cost, so it’s a good idea to look around before committing to a policy
Remember to insure your belongings for the full replacements value.
A. Change immediately the locks after you come in the house. Especially the main entrance. This is most important!!
B. Burglars prefer foreigners than Czech. Usually cars, wallets and gadgets are the main targets. Be cautious.