Housing

Electricity, gas and your yearly bill

You pay monthly advances and once a year the real use is settled, so you get money back or pay extra. Who you deal with depends on whether the energy contract is in your name or your landlord's.

How you payMonthly advances (zálohy)then one settlement bill (vyúčtování), usually once a year

Landlord's yearly billWithin 4 monthsafter the billing period ends, if utilities go through your landlord

Object to landlord's bill30 daysin writing, from receiving the bill or the documents behind it

Supplier complaint15 days to answer30 days for disputes about measured consumption

Switching supplierFreebut leaving a fixed-term contract early can cost a contractual penalty

Meter reading after a switchWithin 5 business dayssend it to the distribution operator

There are two ways energy reaches a rented flat. Either the contract with the electricity or gas supplier is in your own name, or the landlord holds it and charges you through the service charges (služby) next to the rent. Your lease says which. Most Czech leases have rent plus monthly advance payments for utilities.

Advances (zálohy) are estimates. At the end of the billing period your actual use is compared with what you paid. If you paid too much, you get the difference back. If you paid too little, you pay the rest. That settlement bill is called vyúčtování.

If the contract is in your name: your supplier normally bills you once a year. The supplier can change your advances, but only up to what your consumption can reasonably be expected to be. Billing complaints go to the supplier in writing, with your details, contract number and what is wrong. The supplier has 15 days to deal with it. The Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ) supervises suppliers but does not decide billing complaints.

If utilities go through your landlord: the landlord must send the yearly statement within four months after the billing period ends. It has to show the real costs for each service and what you paid in advances. You can ask for the supporting documents within 30 days, and object in writing within 30 days. If you say nothing, you are treated as having accepted it. The landlord can change your advances, but must tell you in writing and give a reason.

Changing supplier is free. ERÚ runs an official comparison tool at srovnavac.eru.gov.cz (Czech only). Look beyond the price: check penalties, contract length and customer service. The whole change can take one to three months depending on your notice period. If you sign a power of attorney, the new supplier can handle the notice for you. You cannot choose the distribution company, as that depends on where you live.

Write down the meter readings when you move in and out, in the handover protocol (předávací protokol). They decide what you pay at the end.

Step by step

Check your lease: is the energy contract in your name or the landlord's, and how big are the monthly advances?
Record meter readings in the handover protocol when you move in
Keep the yearly settlement bill and compare it with the advances you paid
If something looks wrong, ask for documents or object in writing within 30 days (landlord) or complain to the supplier
If the contract is yours, compare suppliers on srovnavac.eru.gov.cz before your fixed term ends
After switching, send a meter reading to the distribution operator within five business days

Official sources

Last checked 2026-11-11. Open this guide in the app to add the dates to your calendar.

Electricity, gas and your yearly bill

Step by step

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