Job Discussion Forums

[ITTP]

Hi!

Having been living in Prague now for over 12 years I have gotten used to alot of the terminology which must have seemed mystifyingly confusing when I first arrived in Prague and which I'm sure is just as confusing for other newbies coming to Prague.

KK = kitchen corner.
WC = toilet.
B = balcony.

1+1 = 1 bedroom.
2+1 = 2 bedrooms.

1+KK = 1 bedroom with a kitchen in the corner.
This means that you will be sleeping in the same room where you will be cooking your meals.
2+kk = 2 bedrooms.
One of the rooms doubles up as a kitchen.

Apartments are also described in terms of space available and if it has a balcony then the balcony space will be included in the overall apartment space calculations.

Some good tips when you are looking to rent an apartment:

1. NEVER rent out an apartment on the first floor.
First floor apartments are easy targets for burglars.

2. Attic apartments should be carefully weighed up as they tend to heat up in summer and cool right down in winter. Therefore you should look at the heating and cooling/ventilation options.

3. Always check the heating system and make sure that it is working and in order. You might be viewing the apartment in summer when it is lovely and hot but bear in mind that winters in Prague can get pretty chilly.

4. Noise can be a big issue, especially if you are living in Prague 1.
Trams can also be very noisy at night.
Some buildings, such as the soviet-built panelak apartment buildings, have thin walls and noise from neighbors can be an issue.
My advice is to arrange for a few viewings at different times of the day so that you get to see the apartment in the day time and in the evening.

5. Security should always be top priority.
- Does the door to the apartment have 2 locks? (always change locks when you move in and let the landlord know in advance of course).
- If the apartment has a balcony is it possible for a burglar to reach it easily?
- Is the main door to the building secure?
Was this door locked when you came to view the apartment?

Prague is a safe city and you shouldn't become overly cautious about where you live. Areas to avoid though are lower Zizkov and Karlin. I personally wouldn't recommend Vinohrady because it is an affluent neighborhood close to the city center and a magnet for burglars.

6. Extras.
Your basic rent will cover your rental costs but then you will need to pay for utilities such as gas and electricity.
Sometimes you will also be charged extra for water and general services, such as the cleaning of the apartment.
Internet charges are usually an additional charge too.
It is important to ask what you will be charged extra and how you will pay this.
Some landlords do take advantage of the fact that foreigners are not fully aware of local costs for utilites and often quote round figured sums which 'cover everything'.
Make sure that you get a copy of the bills.
Also, if you are asked to pay a monthly round figure sum then this is your deposit for utlities and that at the end of the year everything will be calculated and you will be either asked to pay additional amounts to cover the difference in money paid and energy consumed or given a refund for this difference if you paid more than you consumed.

7. Location isn't really an issue in Prague in terms of accessability because Prague has an excellent transport system and you are never more than an hour's journey from the center of the city.
Your location decider will probably be defined by your accommodation budget and your location requirements.
Prague 6 and upper Zizkov both win my vote because they are affordable neighborhoods and are both central.
Upper Zizkov btw is around the TV tower (the space-like tower which dominates the central Prague skyline).
Zizkov is a funky neighborhood with great bars and restaurants and Prague 6 is green with many parks and also with great bars and restaurants.

8. Sharing.
Sharing can either be a complete nightmare or a fantastic experience.
If you are taking a TEFL/TESOL Onsite course then spending 4 intense weeks with your fellow trainees will provide you with an excellent idea as to who you could and who you couldn't share an apartment with and trainees tend to hook up together for shared accommodation during or after their course.
Sharing dramatically reduces your rental fees.

9. Always ask for a receipt after paying anything.
In the Czech Republic any business which you give money to has to legally provide you with a receipt with its business ID number on (ICO).
Always ask for a receipt when paying for bills/internet charges, etc.

10. The Czech Republic has been going through an economic boom these past years and one of the offsets of this is that many owners of buildings now have the money to do them up. Great if you are the owner of the building but not so great if you are living in the apartment while the reconstruction work is going on. Try and get the landlord or agency to add to the contract an assurance that there won't be any reconstruction work taking place in the building for the duration of the apartment contract period signed.

If any one else has anything else to add then please feel free to fire away.

Hezky den!/Lovely day!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1