Small Repairs & Routine Maintenance: Who Pays What in Your Czech Rental? (2026 Guide)

You’ve finally found it—the perfect apartment in Prague with a view of the spires or a cozy flat in Brno near your favorite cafe. You’ve signed the lease, moved in your boxes, and everything feels like home. 

Then it happens. A faucet starts dripping. The oven light burns out. Or worse, you notice a crack in the tiles. 

Panic sets in. “Does the landlord pay for this? Is it my responsibility? Will I lose my deposit if I don’t fix it right away?”

In the Czech Republic, the law specifically defines what falls under “minor repairs” (drobné opravy) and “routine maintenance” (běžná údržba). Understanding these terms is the key to a stress-free relationship with your landlord. Let’s break it down so you don’t pay a koruna more than you have to.

The "Alex" Scenario: A Leaky Lesson

Meet Alex. He moved to Prague last year. One morning, the kitchen faucet started leaking. Alex, wanting to be a "good tenant," called a professional plumber, paid 1,500 CZK, and sent the invoice to his landlord. 

The landlord refused to pay. Why? Because according to Czech law, fixing a leaky faucet is considered a minor repair that the tenant is responsible for. Alex was frustrated, not because of the money, but because he didn't know the rules. 

Don't be like Alex. Let’s look at the facts.

Routine Maintenance of an Apartment

The Government Regulation No. 308/2015 Coll. defines routine maintenance of an apartment like this:

"Routine maintenance of the apartment means the maintenance and cleaning of the apartment, including the equipment and furnishings of the apartment, which is usually carried out when the apartment is used. This mainly concerns painting, plaster repair, wallpapering and cleaning of floors, including floor coverings, wall coverings and cleaning of clogged waste up to vertical distribution pipes. Routine maintenance also means keeping the apartment equipment in working order, regular inspections and cleaning of items listed in Section 4 letters g) and h), checking the functionality of thermostatic heads with electronic control, checking the functionality of smoke detectors including replacing the source, checking and maintaining water taps with electronic control."

While repairs (see below) happen when something breaks, "routine maintenance" is about preventing things from breaking. 

Think of it this way: if it involves keeping the apartment in the same state you received it, it’s likely on you.

What are "Minor Repairs"?

According to same Regulation minor repairs are defined this way:

"Minor repairs are considered repairs to the apartment and its interior furnishings, if this equipment is part of the apartment and is owned by the landlord, according to the material definition or according to the amount of costs.."

 1. Minor repairs by material definition

 The above mentioned Regulations then lists the below repairs by material definition:

 "a) repairs of individual upper parts of floors, repairs of floor coverings and replacement of thresholds and skirting boards,

b) repairs of individual parts of doors and windows and their components, fittings and handles, replacement of locks including electronic opening of the entrance door of the apartment and repairs of fittings, handles, roller blinds and blinds on windows extending into the interior of the apartment,

c) repairs and replacement of electrical terminal devices and distribution devices, in particular switches, sockets, circuit breakers, doorbells, home telephones, sockets for data network distribution, analogue and digital television signals and replacement of light sources in lighting fixtures, repairs of equipment for receiving satellite television, repairs of audiovisual equipment used to open the entrance door to the house, repairs of control units and switches for ventilation, air conditioning and central vacuum cleaners, repairs of electronic security systems and automatic motion detectors,

d) replacement of shut-off valves in the gas distribution system with the exception of the main shut-off valve for the apartment,

e) repairs and replacement of shut-off valves on water distribution systems, with the exception of the main shut-off valve for the apartment, replacement of siphons and grease traps,

f) repairs and certification of residential meters according to the Metrology Act or devices for allocating heating costs and repairs and certification of residential hot and cold water meters, repairs of fire detectors and smoke detectors, repairs of room temperature regulators in heating systems that allow individual temperature control,

g) repairs of water outlets, odour traps, extractor hoods, hoods, mixer taps, showers, water heaters, bidets, washbasins, bathtubs, sinks, sinks, flush valves, kitchen stoves, ovens, cookers, infrared heaters, kitchen units, built-in and attached wardrobes,

h) repairs of solid fuel, gas and electric stoves, flues, floor heating boilers for electricity, liquid and gaseous fuels, flues and shut-off and regulating valves and control thermostats of floor heating; however, repairs of radiators and central heating distribution systems are not considered to be repairs,

i) replacement of small parts of the items listed in letters g) and h)."

2. Minor repairs by cost

If a repair not listed above is needed, the below definition applies:

"According to the amount of costs, minor repairs are considered to be other repairs to the apartment and its equipment and replacements of individual items or their parts that are not listed in Section 4, if the cost of one repair does not exceed CZK 1,500. If several repairs are carried out on the same thing that are related and follow each other in time, the sum of the costs of the related repairs is decisive. Transport costs are not included in the costs of this repair and are paid by the tenant."

Yearly limit for the cost of minor repairs

There is a yearly limit on how much you can spend paying for minor repairs, and it is defined like this:

"(1) If the sum of the costs of minor repairs referred to in Sections 4 (the "repairs by material definition") and 5 (the "repairs by cost") in a calendar year exceeds an amount equal to CZK 150/m2 of the floor area of ​​the apartment, further repairs in that calendar year shall not be considered minor repairs. Transport costs shall not be included in the costs of such repairs and shall be borne by the tenant.

This means that if you live in a 50 sqm apartment, you should not pay more than 50x150 = 7 500 CZK for minor repairs a year. 

If we want to go really into depths of this topic, we also need to mention that:

(2) For the purposes of this Regulation, the floor area of ​​an apartment shall be understood to be the sum of the floor areas of the apartment and all spaces used with the apartment, including those outside the apartment, if they are used exclusively by the tenant of the apartment; the floor area of ​​cellars that are not rooms and the floor area of ​​balconies, loggias and terraces shall be counted only by one half."

3 Pro Tips for Expats in Czechia

1. Document Everything - when you move in, take photos of everything—even the tiny scratches. This is your shield when it's time to get your deposit back.

2. Communication is Key - even if a repair is "minor," it’s always a good idea to text your landlord. They might have a specific plumber they prefer, or they might even offer to pay for it if you’ve been a great tenant! Having a text or an e-mail can also serve as a proof in case of any future disputes.

3. Check Your Contract - while the law sets the baseline, your lease agreement might have specific clauses. Always read the "Maintenance" section carefully before signing.

Feeling Overwhelmed by Czech Rental Laws?

Navigating the Czech housing market and legal system can feel like a full-time job. Whether you’re facing a difficult landlord, need help understanding your lease, or are just starting your search for a new home, Move To Prague is here to help. 

We’ve helped thousands of expats find their footing in the Czech Republic, ensuring they are treated fairly and feel at home.

Book a consultation with our housing experts today and let us handle the bureaucracy while you enjoy your life in Prague!