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Legal requirements of a lease agreement

A lease agreement is the fundamental document for letting any property. The property owner allows the tenant to use the property temporarily in return for the rent specified in the agreement. It must be drawn up in writing and signed by both parties. Tenancy relationships are governed by the Civil Code, under § 2201 et seq.

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Lease agreement (PDF + Word)

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By downloading and using this agreement template, where applicable, you agree that Bohemian Estates accepts no responsibility for the content of the published agreement template and that Bohemian Estates shall under no circumstances be liable for any damage arising from the use of this agreement template. The agreement template is intended for informational purposes only, and Bohemian Estates recommends seeking legal assistance for specific cases.

Do you have questions?

Before contacting us, read the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Is it better to conclude a fixed-term or open-ended lease agreement?

For both parties, it is almost always more advantageous to conclude a fixed-term lease agreement. We recommend a term of 1 year. A fixed-term agreement gives you greater flexibility and, for example, allows you to increase the rent.

Is it necessary to include an indexation clause in the agreement?

An indexation clause protects the landlord against a decline in rental income caused by high inflation. It allows rent to be increased regularly in line with the inflation rate, either automatically or at the landlord’s request. However, its wording must meet the legal requirements, otherwise it is invalid. You do not have to include it in the lease agreement; entering into a fixed-term lease agreement is more flexible.

How much security deposit can I require from a tenant?

The security deposit and entitlement to payment of a contractual penalty must not, in aggregate, exceed three times the monthly rent excluding service charge advances (§ 2254 of the Civil Code). With rent of CZK 20,000, the combined limit is CZK 60,000; this is not a separate limit for the security deposit and another separate limit for contractual penalties.

What should I do if a tenant does not pay?

The Civil Code considers non-payment of rent to be a serious breach of the lease agreement, and this may lead to termination by the landlord. However, the tenant must first be given written notice to settle the debt within a reasonable period. The tenant then has 30 days to hand over the property. This nevertheless results in several months of lost rental income. Do you not want to deal with anything like this? Entrust your property to Bohemian Estates, and we guarantee your rent every month.

How to obtain a lease agreement in Word and PDF

Request a template using the current form. The subsequent thank-you page includes a PDF for reading and printing, as well as a ZIP file containing an editable DOCX (Word) and PDF. Before use, check that the agreement is suitable for your type of property; a flat, house, plot of land and garage are not interchangeable.

Check before signing

  • Clear identification of the parties, the property and the intended purpose of use.
  • The start and end of the lease, or an express agreement for an open-ended term.
  • Net rent, due date and bank account; service charge advances and the annual statement of utilities separately.
  • The security deposit, any contractual penalties, and rules for handing over or returning the flat, within the limits of the applicable rules.
  • The number of keys, furnishings, meter readings and documented defects in the handover protocol.

We do not represent the download of a file as a legal review of a specific agreement. For non-standard arrangements or disputes, consult a solicitor. The template does not automatically verify ownership or an applicant’s creditworthiness.

Go to the form to obtain a template · Extending an existing agreement by addendum · Handover protocol

Simple lease agreement, house agreement and lease term

A simple lease agreement need not be long, but it must be in writing (§ 2237) and must clearly specify who is renting what to whom and for how much. Matters not agreed by the parties are governed by the Civil Code. Any provisions that would restrict the rights of a tenant of a flat are disregarded (§ 2235).

The minimum a simple agreement needs

  1. Contracting parties: names, dates of birth and addresses; in the case of a joint tenancy, all tenants.
  2. Flat: address, unit number, floor, layout, appurtenances (cellar, parking space) and furnishings, with reference to the handover protocol.
  3. Rent and service charge advances separately: which services you provide, how they are apportioned and when they are due. Unless otherwise agreed, rent is payable monthly in advance, no later than the fifth day of the month (§ 2251).
  4. The lease term: start date and, where applicable, end date. If no lease term is agreed, the lease is deemed to be for an indefinite period (§ 2204).
  5. The security deposit: together with contractual penalties, it must not exceed three times the monthly rent (§ 2254).
  6. The number of occupants in the flat and, where applicable, consent to accepting additional household members, except close relatives (§ 2272).
  7. The date and signatures of both parties.

Fixed term or indefinite term?

Key differences for landlords
AspectFixed termIndefinite term
End of leaseExpiry of the agreed termOnly by notice or mutual agreement
Notice by the landlordOnly on grounds under § 2288(1)On grounds under § 2288(1) and (2), for example if the landlord needs the flat for themselves or a relative
Notice by the tenantIn the event of a material change in circumstances (§ 2287)Without stating a reason, with three months' notice (§ 2231)
After the term expiresRenewal for the same term, up to a maximum of two years, if the tenant remains for three months without a written request to vacate (§ 2285)Not applicable
Increasing rentBy agreement, as agreed in the lease agreement, or by a proposal under § 2249 (including, among other things, no more than 20% over three years)

For most landlords, a fixed term is therefore more practical, for example one year with the option of extension by an addendum to the lease agreement.

Lease agreement for a house

If you let an entire family house for residential purposes, the rules for letting a flat apply accordingly (§ 2236(3)). In addition to the requirements for a flat lease agreement, define the land according to the Land Registry, as well as the garden, garage and ancillary buildings. Set out who is responsible for garden maintenance, snow clearance, boiler and chimney inspections, and waste collection, and whether the tenant transfers energy supply contracts into their own name. A separate template is available on the house lease agreement page.

What should not be included in the agreement

  • A blanket ban on keeping animals: the tenant has the right to keep an animal provided it does not cause disproportionate inconvenience (§ 2258).
  • A ban on working or conducting business from the flat where this does not increase the burden on the flat or building (§ 2255(2)).
  • An obligation for the tenant to pay for repairs other than minor repairs and routine maintenance of the flat (§ 2257).
  • A provision imposing an evidently disproportionate obligation on the tenant (§ 2239).

Frequently asked questions about lease agreements

Does a lease agreement need to be notarised or registered? No. For the lease of a flat, the law requires a written form; official verification of signatures or registration is not required.

Is the agreement valid even if it is not in writing? The landlord cannot claim against the tenant that the agreement is invalid solely because it is not in writing (§ 2237). An oral agreement therefore mainly puts the landlord at risk, as it is then difficult to prove the agreed terms.

Does this page reflect the law in force in 2026? We have checked the provisions we refer to in the Civil Code effective from 1. 1. 2026 (e-Sbírka, 27. 10. 2026). Always adapt the template to the specific flat and agreement.

Checking a lease agreement before signing