What You Will Learn in This Article

• Steps to take when rent is unpaid

• The evidence you need to collect

• How court recovery works

• How to reduce the risk of never getting paid

Expert Explanation

Recovering unpaid rent starts with accurate records of payments and outstanding amounts. You should have a copy of the tenancy agreement, a record of payments (bank statements or receipts for cash payments), and any reminders sent to the tenant. If the tenant disputes the debt, documents showing handover of the apartment and service charge statements will also be important.

The first step is usually a pre-suit demand letter – a written notice to the tenant stating the debt amount and a deadline for payment, preferably sent by registered mail. If that fails, you move to a claim for payment. In rent cases, the court may issue a payment order, usually within weeks, if your evidence is clear. The tenant can file an objection, which will turn the matter into a standard court case.

Once you obtain a final judgment or payment order, the next stage is enforcement (execution). Be aware that if the tenant has no assets, recovery may fail – another reason to act quickly, while the debtor still has property or income to seize.

Case Example

A landlord in Brno waited a year before filing a claim. The tenant moved abroad, and although the court ruled in the landlord’s favour, enforcing the debt overseas turned out to be slow and costly. Result? The unpaid rent was never recovered.

Maybe You’re Thinking…

“I don’t want to ruin the relationship with my tenant by going to court right away.” I understand, but in my experience, time works against you when it comes to rent arrears.

Lawyer’s Recommendation

Once the tenant owes more than one month’s rent and ignores your reminders, start preparing legal action. Acting quickly means a much higher chance of recovery.