After many years, Chrudim wants to increase rents in city apartments. If approved by the deputies, it should increase by 20 percent this year. At present, tenants pay CZK 51.95 a month per sqm, Deputy Mayor Petr Lichtenberg (Chrudimáci) told reporters today. According to him, the price of rent was last increased on January 1, 2010 and the city lacks money to maintain the housing stock.
After the price increase, tenants will pay 62.34 crowns per square meter, in all apartments the same. This is still significantly less than market rents. “We also know that someone has rented an apartment from us and then sublets it at the market price,” said Mayor František Pilný (YES).
Rental prices will increase gradually. Firstly, flats rented for a definite period will become more expensive from 1 July, and flats with a contract for an indefinite period from October. So far, flats for which the city has received subsidies have been excluded from the increase.
“Such a low rent could not generate enough funds to keep the apartments in adequate condition,” said Deputy Mayor Aleš Nunvář (Pirates). In the future, the city’s housing stock should be divided into several groups with different rents. It would take into account housing for socially needy residents or for professions that are necessary for the city, such as health professionals. In some apartments, the rent should be commercial.
Chrudim now owns 466 city apartments, including apartments in homes for the elderly or with a care service. A further 20 percent increase in rents could come in three years.
Other town halls in the Pardubice Region have also risen in rents in city flats in recent years. In Ústí nad Orlicí, rents will gradually more than double by the end of 2022. The original was on average CZK 46 per sqm, after the increase it will average around CZK 102 per sqm. Česká Třebová increased rents by 20 percent, and has apartments in two price categories. The rent in basic quality flats increased from CZK 51.95 to CZK 62 per sqm per month, for flats in reduced quality from CZK 45 per sqm to CZK 54. Prices have not changed since 2010.
Source: CTK
