Floor area of a flat
Floor area tells you how many square metres a flat has. But a single figure can hide different calculation methods. Before comparing listings, find out whether it includes interior walls, a cellar or other spaces. Floor area and usable area are not necessarily the same.
Also known as: flat size, usable area, living area, flat area
Why one flat has several area figures
For flats held under unit ownership, the calculation is set by Government Regulation No. 366/2013 Coll. Under it, floor area also includes internal load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls and certain other structures within the flat. If you measure only the open floor space of the rooms between the walls, you will therefore get a smaller figure.
A balcony or loggia is not an extra living room. Under this regulation, they are common parts of the building that may be reserved for the exclusive use of the flat owner. For a cellar, check exactly how it is defined. It may be part of the flat, a separate space, or a common part allocated for the owner’s use.
What to request when buying or renting
Ask for a breakdown of the areas and the document the figure is based on. The legal definition of the unit is set out in the declaration of ownership (prohlášení vlastníka), while the practical layout is shown on the floor plan. Separate rules may apply to the allocation of service charges or the limit for minor repairs. So don’t carry one area figure over into every calculation without checking it.
To give you an idea: a listing states 60 m², but the offer consists of a 52 m² flat plus an 8 m² loggia. The indoor living space is 52 m², not 60. The difference affects both the price-per-metre comparison and how big a prospective tenant expects the flat to be. Stating both areas separately helps you avoid disappointment at the viewing.
In your listing, state the area of the flat and of any ancillary spaces separately. Prospective tenants can then compare like with like and know what to expect at the viewing.
Sources checked on 13/09/2026. A general explanation does not replace a review of your specific contract or individual legal or tax advice.
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