Moving Out of Dorms in Czechia: Checklist for International Students

Are you studying in Czechia and moving out of the dorms? If you don’t know what to look out for when leaving your dorm for the summer, we’ve got you covered!

In this article, you’ll learn:

• when to check your dorm contract,
• what you may need to return before leaving,
• why cleaning your room matters,
• how to deal with unpaid fees and your deposit,
• what to do with your belongings over the summer.

When does your contract end?

The first step is to check when your contract ends. Many students mistakenly assume it lasts until the end of summer. But at many Czech universities, dorm contracts only last until the end of the exam period or until the end of June or July, whichever happens first. If you’re not sure, check the contract you signed when moving into your dorm.

Check what you need to return

Before leaving the dorm, check everything you need to return. This might include things such as:

• your key or access card,
• bed sheets, pillows, blankets, if you borrowed them from your dorm,
• dorm pass,
• other equipment, depending on the dorm’s rules.

If you’re not sure, write down your own checklist a few days before leaving to make certain you won’t forget to return anything.

Clean your room

Cleaning your room before leaving can save you money in the long run. Most dorms check the rooms after students move out. The room should be clean and look the same way it did when you moved in. If you caused any damage or leave it too dirty, you can be charged extra fees.

Make sure you don’t owe anything

Speaking of money, before you leave the dorm, make sure you’ve paid for everything and don’t owe any money. Did you pay for:

• accommodation?
• laundry services?
• other dorm services?
• potential penalties?

You want to make sure you’ve paid for everything, because dealing with delayed fees from abroad is much more difficult than covering your expenses while you’re still in Czechia.

Don’t forget the security deposit

You might have paid a security deposit before moving in. It is usually one month’s rent. Check how and when you’ll get it back. Some universities return the deposit in cash, while others wire it to your bank account. But the procedure can differ for international students. Either way, you shouldn’t leave until you know for sure when and how the deposit will be returned to you.

Decide what you will do with your things

Even if you’re going back home for the summer, you don’t have to lug all your stuff with you. You can, for example:

• rent storage space,
• ask your friends if you can store your things with them,

take your things with you to your new accommodation, in case you decide to stay in Czechia.