How to rent a flat/a house

What

If you want to rent housing, you have the same conditions as other inhabitants of the country.

Good to know

According to the Civil Code, the cancellation period of a rental contract is three months. Extension of the contract should be usually settled one month before its expiration.

Steps

STEP 1: Search for housing – rental: The rent can be arranged directly with the property owner who rents the flat/house on the basis of advertising or your friend´s recommendation. There can be a communication problem at this point if you do not speak Slovak or the property owner does not speak a language other than Slovak.

You can also use the services of a paid real estate agency – check the fee for mediation and other services.

STEP 2: Rental contract: The contract should contain all agreed information (rent, payment dates, description of the furnishing, other specific conditions, etc.);

STEP 3: Advance payment/collateral: Property owners usually request one to two months´ rent as in advance as collateral, and the payment of the monthly rent;

STEP 4: Rent: The rent amount usually depends on the location of the flat and on its furnishings (including beds, kitchen equipment, internet connection, etc.);

STEP 5: Rights and obligations of the tenant: The rights and obligations of the tenant are specified in the Civil Code. One of the main rights of the tenant is to use the flat together with the persons with whom the tenant lives in a common household. Unless the parties agree in the rental contract otherwise, the tenant is obliged to pay for minor repairs in the flat and the costs for routine maintenance. For more details see:

http://www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/1995-87#f2238085

Where

In print magazines or on special websites. Search keywords: “prenájom”, “nájom bytu”, “prenájom bytu” or “byty”.

For more information and for advice, visit the website of the Migration Information Centre: www.mic.iom.sk/sk/socialne-veci/byvanie/207-prenajom-bytu.html

NOTE: The costs of utilities (gas, water, electricity) and of the phone or internet are usually not part of the rent – this must also be agreed in advance and stated in the rental contract.