Erasmus student in Olomouc: housing checklist

Start with the exact room

If you are coming to Olomouc for Erasmus, the most important question is simple: what exact housing place are you arranging?

Olomouc is a compact university city, but arriving from another country still makes housing more stressful. You may be choosing a room before seeing it in person, communicating in a second language and paying a deposit from abroad. That is why clarity matters more than a beautiful photo.

Before you send money, make sure you understand whether you are applying for a private room, a shared room, a specific place in a shared flat, or only a place on a waiting list. These are not small differences. They affect privacy, price, move-in expectations and who you will share the space with.

Ask whether it is:

• a private room,
• a shared room,
• a specific place in a shared room,
• a semester or academic-year housing place,
• or only a waiting-list position.

Never send a deposit if you do not know what space you are applying for.

Ask for photos of the room, shared kitchen, bathroom and entrance. If there is a floor plan, even a simple one, use it to understand the layout. For international students, a clear room description is often more useful than a short message saying that the housing is “near the university”.

Palacký University buildings are spread across Olomouc, so “near the university” can mean different things depending on your faculty. Ask how long it takes to reach your faculty, the city centre and the nearest tram or bus stop.

Total monthly price

Ask for the total monthly price in writing. It should be clear whether the price includes:

• monthly rent or monthly housing payment,
• utilities,
• heating,
• water,
• electricity,
• internet,
• furniture,
• shared equipment.

If utilities are not fixed, ask how the final payment is calculated and when you may need to pay extra.

For budgeting, separate three things: the first payment before arrival, the monthly payment and possible later costs. The first payment may include a deposit and the first month. The monthly payment may or may not include utilities. Later costs may include final utility settlement, cleaning, lost keys or damage.

If you receive one total number, ask what it includes. A slightly higher fixed price can be easier for an Erasmus budget than a lower base price with unclear utilities. Predictability is important when you are planning travel, visa paperwork, school costs and daily expenses at the same time.

Deposit

A deposit is common, but it should be transparent. Ask:

• how much it is,
• when it is returned,
• what can be deducted,
• how the room condition is documented,
• whether you will receive payment confirmation.

Take photos when you move in. It protects both you and the housing provider.

A deposit should come with written confirmation. Save the payment proof, the account details and the message explaining what the payment is for. If the deposit can be reduced after move-out, ask what counts as damage and how the room condition is checked.

When you arrive, photograph the room before unpacking. Include walls, floor, furniture, mattress, doors, windows and any existing marks. This is not suspicious behaviour. It is normal documentation, especially if you arranged the room remotely.

Move-in instructions

Before travelling, save:

• address,
• move-in date and time,
• contact person,
• phone number,
• payment confirmation,
• public transport route,
• what to bring for the first day.

Do not assume you can solve everything after arrival. The first day in a new country is tiring.

Your move-in instructions should be practical. You need to know who will meet you, what happens if your train or flight is delayed, how you receive keys and whether you need your own sheets or towel from day one. If you arrive in the evening, also check whether shops will still be open.

Save important information offline. Internet may not work immediately, your phone battery may be low and you may not want to search through long message threads while carrying luggage.

Safety and communication

Use official e-mail or documented communication. If someone pushes you to pay quickly without written conditions, slow down.

Good signs:

• clear identity of the provider,
• written conditions,
• realistic photos,
• clear price,
• clear move-in process,
• normal answers to basic questions.

Good communication is especially important for international students because misunderstandings are easier. If a housing provider answers basic questions clearly and consistently, it is a good sign. If the answer changes every time, or if you are pushed to pay before receiving written conditions, slow down.

Avoid sending sensitive documents to an unknown chat without understanding why they are needed. Identification may be required later for a contract, but the process should be explained. If you are unsure, ask your university coordinator or someone experienced before sending personal data.

Why BedCare may help

BedCare is built for students who want a clear process before arrival: what the room is, what the price means, how move-in works and who to contact. For international students, this clarity matters even more.

For an Erasmus student, the best housing is not only about location. It is about reducing uncertainty before you arrive. You should know the room type, price, deposit, move-in date, equipment, internet and emergency contact. This makes the first week in Olomouc easier and leaves more energy for orientation, school and meeting people.

What to prepare before travelling

Before you travel to Olomouc, create one folder on your phone with housing documents, payment confirmations, address, contact person, arrival time and room photos. Add a simple packing list for the first day: sheets if needed, towel, charger, basic hygiene, medicine and some cash or card for the first shopping.

Also check transport from the main station or your arrival point to the room. Olomouc is easy to navigate, but the first day is not the right time to improvise everything. A saved route and a clear contact person can make the difference between a calm arrival and unnecessary stress.

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