Technical condition and energy

Electrical inspection (revize elektroinstalace)

In Czech: Revize elektroinstalace

An electrical inspection (revize elektroinstalace) is a professional check of the wiring and electrical equipment in a flat or house. It ends with an inspection report (revizní zpráva) describing the installation and any defects found.

Also called: electrical safety inspection, electrical installation condition report, revize elektro, revizní zpráva

What it means

During a revize elektroinstalace, a qualified inspector (revizní technik) checks the distribution board, circuit breakers, residual current devices, sockets and cabling, takes measurements and assesses whether the installation meets technical standards. The report records the condition, a list of defects and an overall conclusion.

A new or newly connected installation gets an initial inspection (výchozí revize); an existing one gets a periodic inspection or one after repairs. How often and when an inspection is compulsory depends on the type of building and the regulations, so ask an inspector about your case.

How it works in the Czech Republic

The property owner orders the inspection from an inspector holding the relevant authorisation. In a block of flats, the shared wiring is usually handled by the owners' association (SVJ) or cooperative, while the wiring inside a flat is the owner's business.

When buying, an inspection report tells you more than an assurance that the electrics are fine. If the seller has none, agree that you will have the installation checked before signing. If a defect appears after purchase that could not be spotted at the viewing, it may be a hidden defect (skrytá vada). Under the Civil Code, for a building firmly attached to the ground the buyer must claim such a defect within five years of acquiring it at the latest; a lawyer can tell you whether this applies to a specific fault.

A tenant can ask when the last inspection took place and whether the defects it found were fixed.

Practical example

For example, you are buying a flat in a panel block with original aluminium wiring. The seller shows a report concluding that the installation complies, but it is twenty years old and describes the state at that time. It is worth ordering a new check and, depending on the result, budgeting for rewiring or raising it in price talks.

What to watch out for

  • In the report, check the date, the scope of the check and the list of defects.
  • Aluminium wiring, old screw-in fuses or no residual current device are reasons for a closer look.
  • After a renovation, ask for a report on the new installation, not an older document.
  • In a house with a heat pump or solar panels, ask about inspections of those systems too.
  • Check who carried out the inspection; the inspector's name and authorisation are usually in the report.

Frequently asked questions

Is an electrical inspection compulsory when selling a flat?

That depends on the regulations and the type of building, so ask an inspector or a lawyer. Whatever the duty, you can ask for the report or agree to have a check done before signing.

How long is an inspection report valid?

Intervals for periodic inspections vary with the type of building and environment; an inspector can tell you the right one. A report always describes the condition on the day of the check.

What if the inspection finds defects?

The report lists them. You can then negotiate with the seller to have them fixed before the transfer or to adjust the price.

  • Renovation (rekonstrukce)Renovation (rekonstrukce) means repairing or modernising a flat or house by renewing parts of it, such as wiring, plumbing, the bathroom, windows or roof. In Czech listings the word can cover anything from new floors to a full rebuild.
  • Latent defects (skryté vady)Latent defects (skryté vady) are faults in a property that could not normally be spotted at the viewing or handover, such as damp in the walls or damaged pipes. For buildings, the law links them to a five-year period from acquisition.
  • Solar PV system (fotovoltaická elektrárna)A solar PV system (fotovoltaická elektrárna, FVE) turns sunlight into electricity for a home. It consists of panels, an inverter and sometimes a battery; when buying a house you need to know who owns it and which contracts relate to it.
  • Heat pump (tepelné čerpadlo)A heat pump (tepelné čerpadlo) heats a home, and often its water, by taking heat from the outside air, the ground or water and moving it indoors using electricity. How well it works depends on its design and on the house's insulation.
  • Handover protocol (předávací protokol)A handover protocol (předávací protokol) is a written record of handing a property over to a new owner or tenant. It notes the date, the condition of the flat or house, meter readings, keys and documents handed over and any defects.

Sources

Laws and official pages this text is based on (in Czech).

This text is for information only and has not yet been checked by a legal or financial expert. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Verify important details in the listed sources or with a professional.

Updated 25 October 2026

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