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Housing

Kauce

rent deposit

What does “Kauce” mean in Czechia?

Kauce (deposit) is money that a tenant pays to a landlord. It is a security against unpaid rent or damages. In the law, it is called jistota (security) — § 2254 of the Civil Code.

Maximum Amount

  • The limit is 3× monthly rent.
  • This is calculated from the "net" rent, without advance payments for services.
  • 🔴 The limit includes the kauce plus all contractual fines together. A demand for "3× kauce + extra fines" is illegal.

Your Right to Interest

The tenant has the right to interest on the jistota (security) — from the moment it is paid until it is returned. Almost nobody mentions this, but the right is valid by law.

When it is Returned

The law does not give an exact date — it says "upon termination of the lease". In practice, the return is linked to the vyúčtování (final bill), to check for unpaid service charges.

Important. The most common scam on the market is asking for a deposit (kaucia) BEFORE you see the apartment or BEFORE you sign the contract. Do not send money first: first see the apartment, then sign the contract, then pay the deposit.

Examples of use

SK
The deposit is twice the monthly rent.
The deposit is two monthly rents.
SK
The deposit will be returned at the end of the lease.
The deposit will be returned at the end of the lease.

Frequently asked questions

Should interest be charged on the deposit?
Yes. According to § 2254, the tenant has the right to interest on the deposit from the moment it is paid until it is returned.
The landlord wants a deposit of 3 months' rent and also a contractual penalty. Is this allowed?
No. The limit of 3 monthly rents is the security deposit and all contractual penalties **together**. If the security deposit is already 3 times the rent, there is no room left for penalties.

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