Persons counted for service charge allocation (osoby rozhodné pro rozúčtování)

Who to include in the count

It isn’t only the people named in the lease. What matters is how the flat is expected to be used, not where someone has their registered permanent address. A short visit therefore doesn’t change the count. A partner who moves in with the tenant for the long term is included even without changing their permanent residence.

If you don’t let the flat to anyone, you count yourself as well as anyone else living in the unit. The law also covers flats used for purposes other than housing. A turnover of short-term guests does not in itself mean you can report zero occupants. Services Act (zákon o službách), § 2(1)(g).

Which services are split by number of occupants

The number of occupants matters for things like cleaning of common areas, running the lift or waste collection. It does, however, depend on the allocation method chosen. Water may be billed by meter readings, and heating has its own rules. Going from two people to three won’t therefore push every cost up by half. § 5 and § 6 of the Act.

A quick example: from September, the tenant’s partner moves in for the long term. Notify the service provider of the change in occupants in writing and without undue delay – not when you’re disputing the spring statement. Include the date of the change in the notice. This obligation is set out in § 12.

The notice only covers service charge allocation. It does not fulfil any other statutory or contractual obligations connected with taking in a new household member.