What you will learn in this article

• The legal difference between a short-term rental and an accommodation contract

• Your rights and obligations as a guest or as a host

• The most common disputes and how to handle them

• When it pays to have a written agreement

Expert explanation – rental vs. accommodation

• Short-term rental – legally falls under general rules for renting an apartment or house if used for living. The contract can be for days or weeks, but tenant protection is weaker because it is only temporary housing.

• Accommodation – governed by special provisions (§ 2326 et seq. of the Czech Civil Code). The accommodation provider offers temporary lodging (hotel, guesthouse, Airbnb), can set house rules, monitor compliance, and the contract ends once the agreed period expires.
  The difference has a major impact on whether you have tenancy protection or you are bound by the more commercial rules of accommodation services.

Real-life example – when Airbnb wasn’t what it promised

A client booked “an entire apartment for a week,” but upon arrival discovered that the owner had rented it to two groups at once. The host claimed it was “shared accommodation” and could reclaim the room at any time. The dispute ended up in court, which ruled it was an accommodation contract, not a rental – meaning the owner had the right to shorten the stay if the guest breached house rules.

Risks of short-term rentals and accommodation

• Poorly defined scope of use (whole apartment vs. room)

• Unclear rules for shortening the stay

• Hidden fees and penalties

• Lack of clear cancellation terms

• For hosts – risk that the contract could be treated as a rental, triggering stricter tenancy obligations

Lawyer’s advice

Whether you’re a guest or a host, always insist on a written agreement clearly stating: what is being rented/provided, for how long, under what conditions, and with which rules. Short-term stays can be attractive, but legal certainty is often underestimated.