EasyFlat.cz was created as a do-it-yourself online portal for both property owners and property renters in Prague, Czech Republic. Tenants have the opportunity to search rental property and inquire about listings directly with the property owners or landlords. This is exactly what it says, "No Agency. No Fees." All owners/landlords are required to agree to EasyFlat.cz terms of use policy which states that they will not charge any commission or any fees that cannot be refunded or applied toward the cost of rent, such as first month's rent, last month's rent or a refundable deposits - as negotiated between owners and tenants.
With an agency you will most likely be required to pay a fee of one month's rent, plus any admininstrative fees. EasyFlat.cz is simply a webiste, not an agency. We do not employ agents, have an office like an agency and do not get involved with the rental transactions between owners and tenants.
Do I have to register first in order to use EasyFlat.cz?
As a tenant searching for property - no. Owners who wish to list their rental property with EasyFlat.cz are required to register. This is to provide security so they can manage their properties - add/edit/delete - with their very own account name and password. Registration is free.
The simple answer is - to save money. In some cases, a lot of money.
In most Prague rental transactions there are typically four parties involved:
1. Owner/Landlord
2. Listing Agency (hired by owner or landlord)
3. Tentant's Agency (representing the prospective tenant)
4. Tenants
That's a lot of people involved for something that should be quite simple and effortless. Often agents serve as little more than people who turn keys and open doors. They usually know very little about the property they are "showing". In many cases rental agents representing both parties will stand idle to the side as the owner negotiates with interested tenants. Many agents are there to make sure that owners do not exchange contact information with prospective tenants and "cut them out."
The two agencies involved will charge excessive fees usually equal to one month's rent. See what happens in a scenario with a property rent of 20,000 CZK:
Listing Agency Fee (1 month's Rent = 20,000 CZK)
Paid by Owner or Landlord
Tenant's Agency Fee (1 month's Rent = 20,000 CZK)
Paid by Tenant
TOTAL FEES: 40,000 CZK
As an agent working for one of Prague's leading agencies revealed to EasyFlat.cz:
"I feel bad for the tenants. I just open the door and put a contract in front of them and they have to pay so much money."
I'm a tenant using an agency to help me find the right property, but I like a property on EasyFlat.cz. What should I do?
You should contact the property owner or landlord for the listing that you like and schedule a viewing without your agent, unless you are willing to pay their required fees. The agency will charge you even if you found the property yourself.
Rental values in any market can vary over time depending on supply and demand, community growth and cost of living. There are several factors you should consider. It is important to note that not one single factor should dominate the others. For example a flat in Stare Mesto doesn't deserve a comparable price based on location if it hasn't been renovated in many years. Likewise a new property with top of the line luxuries doesn't warrant high value if it's located 30 mins away with no parking or transport connections. You need to determine what the right rental price is for your property. Ultimately that figure should be whatever someone is willing to pay. IMPORTANT: Once you have listed your property at a particular price - you cannot increase the rental price - you can only decrease it. As an owner, if you register with EasyFlat.cz you will find much more information on pricing in the HELP section of your account.
A property I like was listed by an estate agent, what do I do?
If the agent is not the owner of the property and they have listed the property on behalf of the agency they work for with intent to charge commission, they are in violation of EasyFlat.cz terms of use policy. Please report such listings to info@easyflat.cz with "violation" in the subject line and we will take a closer look. If the listing is in violation of the terms of use policy, it will be promptly removed.
In most cases a passport will be sufficient. Some owners/landlords may require a bank statement showing sufficient funds or a letter of employment and possible work visa, temporary or long term residency permits etc. Be prepared for all of the above.
Can I negotiate the terms of my tenancy with the owner/landlord?
Many owners/landlords are open to discussing the terms of tenancy and should try and accomodate a willing tenant. However, negotiating finances is a different matter, but it never hurts to try and test the waters.
What if owner and tenant don't speak a common language?
In the case of renting property it’s usually a visual transaction and the detailed complexities that accompany the sale of real estate do not usually apply. Tenants will know what they want based on what they see. Many Czech owners speak at least some English. If not, many tenants know someone who speaks Czech. If both parties are resourceful and anticipate this as an issue, they will secure a Czech or English speaking person to assist them in the process. In some instances the owner/landlord or tenant may speak neither language. In this case, you will want to find someone who can communicate with them on your behalf. EasyFlat.cz does offer the services of a Czech/English translator with real estate experience for a fixed fee to facilitate in the negotiation and contract stages of the transaction.
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