Jan Richter faces scrutiny over low-cost municipal housing rental

Jan Richter, a Member of Parliament for the ANO movement, has faced criticism for renting a municipal apartment in Chomutov at significantly below-market rates for over six years. Richter, who serves as the chairman of the supervisory board for the municipal company Chomutovská bytová, paid approximately 4,000 to 5,000 CZK per month including utilities. This rate is substantially lower than the local average of roughly 180 CZK per square meter, with similar apartments in the area typically renting for around 15,000 CZK.

Richter maintains that he obtained the apartment through a public offer in 2019 like any other citizen and has since returned it. He noted that he personally funded a 194,000 CZK renovation, which the municipal company subsequently deducted from his rent payments.

Opposition politicians, including members of the Pirate Party and the Civic Democratic Party, have used the case to allege a pattern of ANO politicians utilizing affordable public housing. They cited other instances involving figures such as Minister for Regional Development Zuzana Mrázová and Tünde Bartha to argue that municipal housing is being treated as a benefit for political insiders rather than for those in social need.