Renting a home

Rental deposit (kauce, jistota)

In Czech: Kauce (jistota)

A rental deposit (kauce, legally jistota) is a sum the tenant pays the landlord to secure the rent and other obligations under the lease. It is returned when the lease ends, minus any debts from the lease.

Also called: security deposit, damage deposit, kauce, jistota

What it means

The deposit is usually called kauce in everyday Czech, while the Civil Code calls it jistota. The tenant pays it when signing the lease, and it secures the landlord in case the tenant does not pay rent or services or does not compensate damage to the flat. A deposit is neither rent nor a fee: the landlord returns it when the lease ends, after setting off anything the tenant owes under the lease.

How it works in the Czech Republic

As of October 2026, § 2254 of the Civil Code says the deposit and the right to a contractual penalty together may not exceed three times the monthly rent. If the lease also contains a penalty clause, both have to fit within that one limit.

When the lease ends, the landlord returns the deposit and may set off what the tenant owes from the lease, such as an unpaid balance from the service charge settlement or compensation for damage beyond normal wear and tear. The tenant is also entitled to interest on the deposit from the day it was paid, at least at the statutory rate.

It is wise to write into the contract the account and the time frame for returning the deposit. The handover protocol (předávací protokol) signed at move-in and move-out, ideally with photos, is the key evidence if the landlord wants to deduct anything.

Practical example

For example, with rent of CZK 15,000 a month the deposit may be at most CZK 45,000, and if the lease also has a penalty clause, both must fit within that amount together. When the tenant moves out after two years and the last service settlement shows an unpaid balance, the landlord deducts it from the deposit and returns the rest with interest.

What to watch out for

  • Pay the deposit by bank transfer and have the contract confirm that it was received.
  • Check that the deposit plus any contractual penalty does not exceed three months' rent.
  • Agree in writing on the account and the deadline for returning the deposit.
  • Document the flat with a protocol and photos at move-in, otherwise deductions are hard to dispute.
  • Do not confuse the deposit with an agency commission, which is not refunded.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord ask as a deposit in Czechia?

As of October 2026, the deposit and any contractual penalty together may be at most three times the monthly rent (§ 2254 of the Civil Code).

What can the landlord deduct from the deposit?

At the end of the lease the landlord may set off what you owe from the lease, such as unpaid rent, a service charge balance or compensation for damage, and must return the rest.

Do I get interest on my deposit?

Yes. The tenant is entitled to interest on the deposit from the day it was paid, at least at the statutory rate.

On Lovec-Realit.cz

  • Lease agreement (nájemní smlouva)A lease agreement (nájemní smlouva) is the contract under which a landlord lets a flat or house to a tenant for temporary use in exchange for rent. Residential leases in Czechia are governed by the Civil Code.
  • Rent (nájemné)Rent (nájemné) is the regular payment a tenant makes to the landlord for the use of a flat or house. Charges for services such as heating or water are usually added separately as monthly advances.
  • Service charge settlement (vyúčtování služeb)A service charge settlement (vyúčtování služeb) is the statement in which the provider compares the advances paid for a billing period with the actual costs of heating, water and other services. The result is a refund or a balance to pay.
  • 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.
  • Estate agent commission (provize realitní kanceláře)Estate agent commission (provize realitní kanceláře) is the fee an estate agency earns for arranging the sale or purchase of a property. Czech law does not set the amount, but the written brokerage contract must state it or how it is determined.

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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