Restoration of historical buildings in the Czech Republic: what do apartment owners need to know?

Regulation of restoration in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, the process of restoring and renovating historical buildings is strictly regulated by the government. These properties, which hold significant historical and architectural value, are designated as a special category of real estate throughout the country.

It is impossible to make changes to the facades of such buildings without prior official permit documentation. The country's laws also prohibit the replacement of old windows with modern double-glazed units, as well as the replacement of doors and glazing of balcony spaces.

Requirements for roofs

The roofs of such buildings are subject to special requirements: the installation of satellite antennas is not allowed, as it may deteriorate the visual appearance of the urban environment. These rules apply to all structures located within the historical center of Prague, many of which are protected by UNESCO.

Before carrying out any repair work in such properties, owners need to obtain not only the consent of their neighbors but also permission from an international organization, which can sometimes take a long time. Violations of established norms are not allowed, even if the owner plans a major renovation of the entire building.

Support for investors and developers

Despite the strictness of these regulations, Czech authorities provide support to investors and developers involved in the restoration of historical buildings. Such projects are provided fortax benefitsthat increases interest in investments in this sector.

Maria talks about life in such areas in her article "Personal Experience: You Can Live Comfortably in the Czech Republic if You Know What You Want and Work Hard for It."

Experience of residents in historical houses

For example, residents of one of the renovated buildings in Prague can share their personal experiences about the pros and cons of living in such structures.Old houses usually don't have elevators.Their installation is only possible with the consent of all residents and at their own expense.

Heating systems in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic stands out with itscentral heatingHowever, this is not the only heating method available in the country. Different buildings use different heating systems.

• In large residential buildings, centralized heating is used, where hot water is supplied from a heating company or nuclear power plant through main risers to individual radiators.
• According to the law, the heating season starts on September 1st, but in practice, the radiators are only turned on when the temperature drops below 13 degrees for two consecutive days.

Another form of heating includes systems that use boilers located in the basement or in the stairwell. These boilers function like private heating plants, using gas to heat water, which then flows to radiators and operates similarly to central heating.

Comfort and cultural heritage

Thus, living in historical buildings combines comfortable conditions with strict rules related to the preservation of Czech cultural heritage. Understanding these features allows new residents to harmoniously integrate into the unique atmosphere of the country's historical districts.

Modern heating systems

In today's reality, there are many heating systems that provide heating for residential spaces, such as houses and apartments. One such solution is a heating device capable of warming either a single building or several closely located buildings, depending on its power. Heating systems can be found in both old buildings and new residential complexes.

Types of heating

There are several types of heating systems, including climate and individual systems. Essentially, both of these options serve a similar function; the difference lies only in the location of the heating devices:

• On the landing;
• In individual rooms – for example, in the bathroom or the storage room of a specific apartment.

Local heating

Local heating, in turn, is the oldest form of heating systems and is widely used in the Czech Republic. Individual heat sources are installed in each room. For centuries, these were fireplaces and stoves; later, stationary gas heaters appeared, which vented exhaust gases outside through special structures. Such devices can still be seen under the windows of old buildings.

Transition to modern systems

To date, during the major renovation of buildings, there is often a dismantling of outdated local heating systems, followed by a transition to floor or individual options, which are considered more optimal for users. When analyzing these solutions, it becomes clear that the management of the heating system is entirely dependent on its owner:

• Regulating the temperature level;
• Disabling the system during your absence.

Central and home heating

The most expensive heating options for residents are central and building heating. In such systems, residents are deprived of the ability to control the temperature and opt out of using heating. For example, an apartment with central heating in the popular resort town of Mariánské Lázně illustrates these aspects.

Savings on heating

Many citizens of the Czech Republic are looking to save on heating by turning off individual systems whenever possible. Residents are replacing powerful radiators with warm clothing, such as sweaters and socks. Rational use of natural resources is highly valued in the Czech Republic, which helps reduce expenses on heating systems.

Forms of property ownership in real estate

A crucial aspect of real estate in the Czech Republic is the various forms of ownership, which determine the terms of transactions, the cost of housing, and the possibility of renting. The main types of ownership include:

• State;
• Private;
• Cooperative;
• Share-based.

State property

Real estate in state ownership is characterized by non-privatized apartments in multi-apartment buildings, where residents are tenants but not owners. In this case, the right to lease is put up for sale, not the apartment itself.

Private property

Private ownership, along with cooperative ownership, is the most common and reliable form, and such properties are registered in the state cadastre. Thanks to these systems, access to information about real estate becomes more transparent, making life easier for both owners and tenants, ensuring the protection of clients' rights and the transparency of transactions.

Purchase of a cooperative apartment

Buying an apartment in a cooperative means that the owner only receives a share of the cooperative's common property, which imposes certain restrictions on their rights. This form of ownership implies the necessity to adhere to the rules outlined in the cooperative's charter.

For example, in order to rent out an apartment, you may need permission from the cooperative, which can sometimes lead to additional expenses. In some cases, the rules may restrict the purchase of housing for foreign citizens or prohibit the presence of pets.

It is important to note that cooperative apartments are generally cheaper than privately owned properties. Additionally, the process of purchasing them can take just a few days, as registration in the cadastral register is not required.

Translation of a cooperative apartment into private ownership

It is important to remember that a cooperative apartment can be converted into private ownership only after the cooperative has fully paid for the building. In this system, co-ownership of real estate, such as an apartment building, can be held not by individual physical persons, but by an owners' association registered in the cadastre as a single entity.

In this case, the value of the entire house becomes the authorized capital, and the residents are considered as shareholders. Thus, when a person buys an apartment in this format, they become a member of the cooperative rather than a full owner.

Legal features

This form of ownership has its legal peculiarities.

• The tenants are not the legal owners.
• The homeowners' association also cannot be considered a full owner.
• Local authorities do not have the rights of property owners.

Instead, they act as co-owners of the entire building and the apartments distributed throughout it.

The specifics of Czech apartments

Speaking about the specifics of Czech apartments, it is important to note that in advertisements regarding their sale or rental, the sizes of the rooms are often indicated. The first number represents the number of rooms, while the symbols after the “+” sign can cause some confusion.

For example, combinations like "1+1", "1+kk", or "1+0" are relevant for one-room apartments. Additional letters, such as "kk", indicate a kitchenette (Czech "kuchyňský kout"), which is usually located along one of the walls of the living room and should not be confused with a full kitchen.

The announcement stating "2+kk" means that there is one bedroom and one room with a kitchenette, while "1+kk" refers to a studio where the bedroom is combined with the kitchen in one space. In the Czech Republic, such apartments are often referred to as "garsoniéra." If the announcement states "3+1," it indicates the presence of three rooms and a separate kitchen.

Additional areas and their designation

It is also worth mentioning additional areas such as terraces, balconies, or loggias, which are indicated in listings with special letters:

• b— balcony;
• l— loggia;
• t— terrace.

These designations help potential buyers and renters better understand the specific characteristics of an apartment, making their choice more informed and convenient.

The structure of the residential unit "2+kk/b"

As a result of the analysis, it can be established that a residential unit in the "2+kk/b" format includes one separate room, a spacious living room combined with a kitchen area, as well as a separate balcony.

It is important to emphasize that converting basements into living spaces significantly increases the market value of real estate in the Czech Republic.

Types of housing in the Czech Republic

In this country, there is a variety of housing types, among which the most popular are:

• private houses;
• apartments in historic buildings;
• buildings with multiple apartments, constructed from brick or concrete;
• typical high-rise structures built during the socialist era.

The latest types have some similarities with projects in Russia, but they also have unique advantages, such as including utility rooms in the basements, which can either be unoccupied or renovated and divided into separate units. In such cases, residents can make use of these storage spaces.

Apartment for sale

In one of these buildings, an apartment is for sale that has a designated storage unit in the basement. Although the area of such built-in storage spaces is not included in the overall property calculations, they enhance the apartment's appeal, which later reflects in its value.

Residential buildings with private basements are often classified as cooperative housing. Additionally, these buildings may feature what is known as a kočárek (in Czech), which is intended for storing strollers and bicycles. In Finland, there are also similar basement boxes called kellari, while in Germany, they are referred to as kellers.

Addressing and house numbering system

Now it's time to discuss how the addressing and numbering of houses is organized in the Czech Republic. It's important to note that the real estate registration system and the addressing system here do not coincide.

Every building has two plaques: one red (číslo popisné) and one blue (orientační číslo). The first plaque displays the number assigned to the building in the cadastral register, while the second shows the postal address. Usually, the number on the red plaque is higher than that on the blue one.

Example of an address

For example, the address praha 6, československé armády 601/23 can be explained as follows: it refers to the district of Prague 6, on Československé armády street, building number 601/23. In any address, it is essential to mention two numbers!

Features of apartment buildings

In the Czech Republic, there is no concept of a stairwell; in apartment buildings, each stairwell is considered a separate building. Thus, neighbors living in the same building but in different stairwells use the addresses "house 31" and "house 33."

Rules for formatting an address

For proper mail forwarding, it is important to format the address according to the following template:

• street name;
• house number (reference number);
• postal code;
• name of the administrative district;
• name of the settlement.

Instead of the apartment number at this stage, the recipient's first and last name are provided. In the cadastral data, this building will be described as follows: the name of the locality, the cadastral zone, the house number (číslo popisné), and the apartment number.

Numbering of residential premises

When considering the issue of numbering residential premises, it should be noted that the familiar system of numerical designations for apartments is only now being implemented, primarily in new buildings. In older houses, you usually only see the last names and first names of the residents on the mailboxes. Therefore, if you plan to receive letters or other correspondence, it is crucial to provide your full details; otherwise, there is a chance that your messages may not reach you.

Number of floors in buildings

When it comes to the number of floors in buildings, there are some specific features worth mentioning. In the Czech Republic, floor numbering starts from zero, which is quite different from the familiar Russian system. The floor that is considered the first in Russia is labeled as zero in the Czech Republic. Thus, the Czech first floor essentially becomes the second for Russians. This is why, when you use an elevator, you will see a button labeled "0," which will take you to the floor that is called the first in Russia.

It should also be noted that the ground floor in the Czech Republic is not referred to as the zero floor and is designated as přízemí. At this level, there are often no windows, or they are at ground level, which creates certain visual characteristics.

Utilities

As for utilities, a prepaid system is quite common in the Czech Republic. Every month, the apartment owner pays an amount equal to the cost of services provided in the previous year, divided by the number of months. Final meter readings are only recorded at the end of the year. If there is any debt when the totals are calculated, the company will issue an additional bill. However, if the recalculation shows that you have overpaid, the excess will be credited as an advance for the next period.

Payment for services through the post

On the Czech Post website, there is a special page with instructions for connecting to the SIPO service, which acts as an intermediary for collecting payments from individuals for various services, including taxes, rent, electricity, gas, and water, as well as for radio and television services. Users have the option to choose the most convenient payment method.

• Some prefer to set up an automatic system where funds are deducted from the bank account without the owner's involvement.
• Others can arrange a monthly transfer of a specified amount at the bank.
• All payments can be tracked through the personal account.
• There is a traditional payment method — through invoices that are sent by mail.

Additional information

Additional information about utility payments and their amounts can be found in the article dedicated to property maintenance in the Czech Republic.

Housing rental in the Czech Republic

If you are planning to rent accommodation in the Czech Republic, be prepared for the landlord to require a deposit, which is referred to here asdepositWhen renting a property, you will need to make three main payments:

• rent— rent payment;
• fees— utility expenses, including cleaning, sewage, elevator, garbage disposal, and security.

The responsibility for paying for gas, electricity, and water usually falls on the tenants, as in the Czech Republic, the meters are registered not to the property but to a specific user. This means that a new tenant moving into a rented apartment will need to transfer the contract to their name and initiate it in their name.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to emphasize that the restoration and repair of historical buildings in the Czech Republic is not only a legal necessity but also an opportunity to preserve the country's unique architectural heritage. Every step in this process, from obtaining permits to selecting suitable materials, requires careful attention and a deep understanding of the building's historical value.

Complex procedures, such as obtaining approval from UNESCO and securing consent from neighbors, highlight the importance of a personalized approach and respect for the shared historical context. Despite all these challenges, backed by a commitment to preserving the architectural identity, there is active support from the government in the Czech Republic for those involved in restoration. Tax incentives for investors serve as an important stimulus for updating the historical stock, thereby ensuring both support for economic development and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Life in historical buildings

Moreover, it is important to understand that living in such buildings is not always comfortable. Issues with heating and the absence of elevators can cause inconveniences; however, many residents prefer these homes precisely for their uniqueness and history. This is a place where modernity meets history, and despite all the challenges, they continue to attract the attention and interest of both locals and tourists.

Key aspects

• Complex procedures:coordination with UNESCO and consent from neighbors.
• State support:tax benefits for investors and developers.
• Uniqueness and history:Residents appreciate historical houses for their uniqueness.
• Challenges:problems with heating and the lack of elevators.

Taking all of the above into account, it can be said that the restoration and maintenance of historical buildings in the Czech Republic is not just a job, but a true mission that requires a love for culture, respect for traditions, and a willingness to adapt to the challenges of our time. I am confident that together we can preserve this heritage for future generations.