Moving to Mariánské Lázně: a practical guide
Moving to Mariánské Lázně goes smoothly if you split the work into three phases: preparing and choosing a flat, the move itself, and the formalities after you move in. The key things are to arrange a viewing in good time, check the lease, and not forget to change your registered address and utility contracts.
Before you start moving
A well-prepared move starts several weeks ahead. Before you pay the deposit, view the flat in person and go through the terms of the lease. Be clear about your move-in date and what you need to buy for the flat. The sooner you know your dates and the scale of the move, the calmer the whole process will be.
Basic preparation includes:
- Arranging a viewing and checking the condition of the flat.
- Checking the lease and the amount of the deposit.
- Finding out whether the flat is furnished or you will be bringing your own furniture.
- Booking a removal firm, or a van and some helping hands.
Moving checklist
A clear timeline helps you forget nothing:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 weeks before | Viewing, lease, deposit |
| 2 weeks before | Book the removal, pack rarely used items |
| A week before | Change your address and services, finish packing |
| Moving day | Take over the flat, draw up the handover report, note the meter readings |
| After moving in | Change of permanent residence, mail redirection |
With a furnished flat the move is a great deal simpler, because you are not transporting large furniture or appliances.
Changing your address and utility contracts
After you move in, there are a few official matters to sort out. You report a change of permanent residence at the registration office (ohlašovna) for your new address. Also remember to give your new address to your employer, bank, insurer, doctor and, where relevant, school.
With utilities, it depends on the type of flat. If you arrange electricity and other services yourself, you need to transfer the supply points into your name. If utilities are part of one advance payment, as in Rezidence Pelikán, you do not have that worry, because electricity, water and heating are all covered by one payment. That saves a lot of time and the paperwork that usually goes with transferring utility contracts. All you need to do is report your change of permanent residence and postal address; there is nothing else to deal with when it comes to electricity, water and heating.
Transport and public transport in Mariánské Lázně
Mariánské Lázně has a working public transport network and rail connections. For daily commuting, it is practical to live close to a stop. The Hamrníky district has a bus stop within walking distance and the railway station just over a kilometre away.
Approximate distances from Rezidence Pelikán:
- Bus stop 152 metres from the building.
- Railway station 1.1 km, which is 6 minutes by bus or 3 minutes by car.
- The spa centre and colonnade within walking distance.
- Free parking in the area, with a space in front of the building available to rent for CZK 500 a month.
Your first days in the new flat
When you take over the flat after moving in, draw up a handover report and record the meter readings. Test the appliances, heating, water and locks, and report any defects straight away. Find out where the water stopcocks and circuit breakers are.
In Rezidence Pelikán the flats are partly furnished with a new kitchen unit and MORA appliances, so you can cook from day one. For an extra CZK 750 a month, the flat can be fully fitted out with a sofa bed and a wardrobe, which makes the move simpler still. That means you can move in easily even without furniture of your own.
How much a move costs and how to save
The cost of a move depends on how much you have and how far it is going. If you are moving into a furnished or partly furnished flat, you save the most, because you do not have to transport furniture or large appliances. Often a van and a few helping hands are enough instead of a professional removal firm. Distances within Mariánské Lázně are short, too, so even bringing things in from the surrounding area tends to be quick and cheap.
Several things help you save on a move:
- Get rid of things you no longer use beforehand, so you are not moving clutter.
- Plan the move away from weekends and the end of the month, when demand for transport is highest.
- Choose a partly furnished flat and add only what you really need.
- Get boxes and packing materials in good time rather than buying them at the last minute.
In Rezidence Pelikán, the partial furnishing and the option of full fit-out for CZK 750 a month keep the move to a minimum. The kitchen and bathroom are ready and furniture can be had as part of the rent, so you can move in without a major removal operation.