Renting in the CR: When can your landlord raise rent?

Are you worried about your rent going up? This guide explains when landlords in Brno can legally raise your rent, and by how much.

First, you need to know which type of lease contract you have:

1. Fixed-term/definite period lease (na dobu určitou):
   A contract for a set time period, often one year.
2. Open-ended/indefinite period lease (na dobu neurčitou):
   A contract with no end date that continues until either party ends it (or the property ceases to exist).

1] Rules for Fixed-Term Leases 

(and One-Year Contracts)

If you have a fixed-term lease, your rent usually stays the same until the contract ends. Your landlord can only raise the rent during this time if:

1. You both agree to the change in writing, OR
2. Your contract has an “inflation clause” (inflační doložka) and the lease is longer than one year.

⚠️ Important note: If your fixed-term lease is only for one year, and it gets renewed, the landlord cannot automatically apply an inflation clause from the previous contract. A renewed lease is treated as a new contract, and any rent increases must be agreed upon again.

When your lease ends: When it’s time to renew your contract, your landlord can suggest a new rent amount. There is no legal limit to this increase. You can try to negotiate if you think the new rent is too high (or you might suggest lowering the rent)

👉 Tip: At least one month before your lease ends, ask your landlord whether they plan to raise the rent.

2] Rules for Open-Ended Leases

If you have an open-ended lease, you have more protection.

1. Your landlord can raise the rent only once per year.
2. The increase cannot be more than 20% over any three-year period.
3. Your new rent must be similar to what other people pay for similar apartments in your area.
4. Your landlord must tell you about the increase in writing, and you have two months to decide.

If you don’t agree with the increase (=you don’t pay the raised amount), your landlord might take the case to court, where a judge will decide if the new rent is fair.

💡 Note on Inflation Clauses:
If your lease includes an inflation clause (inflační doložka), your rent may be adjusted annually based on inflation rates. However, for the clause to be valid, it must:

• Specify the date when the rent adjustment occurs (e.g., on the lease anniversary).
• Define the process of adjustment (e.g., automatic increase or upon landlord’s notice).
• Clearly state the inflation index used for calculation (e.g., Consumer Price Index published by the Czech Statistical Office).

Without these details, the clause may be considered invalid, and you can dispute any rent increase based on it.

Rent Increases After Building Improvements

If your landlord makes major improvements to your building (like new windows or better insulation), they can raise the rent to help pay for these costs:

• Up to 10% of the renovation costs per year if at least two-thirds of the tenants agree.
• Up to 3.5% of the renovation costs per year, even without the tenants’ agreement.

Our Tips

1. Always ask for rent increase notices in writing.
2. Check your contract to see if it has an inflation clause.
3. Keep copies of all communications with your landlord.
4. If possible, talk with your landlord directly about any increases.

Need Help?

If you’re unsure about a rent increase or need help talking to your landlord about this issue, the Brno Expat Centre can help you. Reach our consultants through our Contact form.

We can explain your rights, review your lease, or even help you communicate with your landlord.

This article was written in cooperation with Marek Viktor, a real-estate lawyer from RELP, a project helping expats find their way in the Czech real-estate market.

Picture courtesy of brnoregion