Dog owners face big struggle as Prague landlords say 'no' to pets

Renting an apartment in Prague has become increasingly difficult, particularly for dog owners, as high demand allows landlords to impose strict conditions.

Each rental listing in the capital receives an average of 72 responses, according to real estate portal Bezrealitky. Landlords can afford to be selective, and many exclude tenants with pets.

“I would say that eight out of 10 landlords do not want any pets in their apartment, they most often have problems with dogs and cats,” Kristýna Řezáčová, manager at RE/MAX Anděl, told Czech media outlet Novinky.cz. “This requirement is common in new or renovated apartments, where owners are primarily concerned about floors, doors, or door frames," she added.

Marie Horníková, who has been apartment hunting for over two months, described a common experience. “It's always the same. When I manage to find a rental offer that I can afford, the stumbling block eventually comes when I start talking to the owner about having a dog, even if it's a small one. Then a sentence always follows: ‘I like dogs, but…’,” she said.

Still, tenants often try to meet landlord expectations. “References from previous landlords can help. A potential tenant can also offer a reasonable monthly fee for the dog, or cleaning the common areas. “Liability insurance, which covers any damage caused by the dog in the apartment, can also soften the owner's mind,” said Michal Pazdera of the Association of Real Estate Agencies.

Bringing pets – namely, dogs – to offices also brings a mixed bag of opinions. According to a survey by PetExpert, Czechia’s largest online health insurance service for dogs and cats, one-third of office workers in Czechia are dog owners, and many bring their pets to the workplace: 17 percent occasionally, 8 percent often.

Attitudes toward dogs in the office are mixed: 41 percent of employees welcome the idea, one-third are against it, and the remaining 25 percent feel neutral.

Landlords are increasingly cautious with regards to four-legged friends. Experts recommend that tenants present strong documentation, including debt-free certificates and references, to improve their chances.