Stay and explore: Property law affects everyone. Tonda from FPR studies why housing disputes arise

When you buy a flat, you don't just buy four walls, you also buy a share in a shared building. And that's where, according to Antonín Knittich, problems often begin. In the interview, he explains why apartment coownership attracts him across centuries and what a PhD at the Faculty of Law involves.

Flat co-ownership sounds fairly technical at first glance. Where do you think it hides something that might surprise even people outside the legal field?
Apartment co-ownership is quite a complex topic, but at the same time, very relevant. I like to describe it as an evergreen issue, because people have always lived somewhere, they live somewhere now, and they always will. That is where its greatest importance lies. Many people are surprised to learn that when they buy an apartment, they are not purchasing just the apartment space itself, but a unit that also includes a co-ownership share in the building's common areas. This is often what leads to confusion around balconies, loggias, or other shared spaces.

You describe it as an evergreen topic. Looking back through history — from ancient cities to today’s apartment buildings — what has fascinated you most about the development of this legal institution?
The development of communal housing goes back much further than most people would expect. Its roots can already be found in Near Eastern civilizations and in ancient Rome. Of course, apartment co-ownership did not yet exist in its current form at the time; legal relations were based more on leases or easements, but multi-story buildings already existed. What is also interesting is how the concept of apartment co-ownership has evolved. Some international mechanisms, such as so-called sectional ownership, which we could cautiously consider functional today, were abolished in the past and later reintroduced into law in modified forms, especially much later in the twentieth century.

In your research, you compare different countries. Have you come across any approach that could inspire the Czech environment or, on the contrary, show what should be avoided?
I have not yet had as much time for comparative research as I would like, but I have come across Russian legislation, which I still have mixed feelings about. I cannot yet clearly evaluate it positively or negatively. From what I have seen so far, the Russian regulation in the Housing Ownership Act combines elements of public and private law, as well as housing cooperatives. This may create certain ambiguities in practice, so at the moment I would rather see it as an unfortunate solution. In the future, however, I would also like to focus on French legislation, Austria, Germany, and the Anglo-Saxon countries, as they may offer interesting perspectives.

Where does apartment co-ownership law clash most with everyday reality today? In other words, where do problems arise that people genuinely have to deal with?
A long-term issue is the notification of renovations or construction work in apartments. The law tries to address this, for example, through the 2020 amendment, but it still fails to enforce this obligation effectively. A person planning construction work should notify the homeowners’ association, but this often does not happen. People usually learn about a neighbor’s renovation only when they hear construction machinery. In my opinion, there is currently no clear and effective tool that would truly enforce this obligation.

Why did you decide to pursue a Ph.D.?
Because, especially for lawyers, it is important to develop not only practical skills but also theory. Combining the two allows me to deepen my knowledge and test it in real life continuously.

What should people know before applying?
Definitely, doctoral studies are completely different from a five-year master’s degree. They are much more complex, go far deeper, and are based on an individual approach. Personally, I appreciate the opportunity to become involved in teaching during my studies, but that naturally comes with extensive preparation for seminars and lectures. You do not want to pass on information that you yourself do not trust or have not sufficiently verified. At the same time, I think a Ph.D. is not suitable for someone who dislikes research or does not want to engage in publishing activities.

What should change in the way doctoral studies function in the Czech Republic?
So far, I am satisfied with how doctoral studies function in the Czech Republic. During my studies, I may still encounter something I perceive as problematic, but at this moment, I do not feel there is anything fundamental I would change.

Where do you see yourself after completing your Ph.D.?
After completing my doctoral studies, I want to practice law because it is the field I feel closest to. At the same time, I would like to continue working at the faculty as a lecturer, because I enjoy sharing knowledge with others. But of course, that may still change and life may take me in a different direction.

Three words that describe a Ph.D.:
Development, research, discovery.

What do you think is the biggest myth about Ph.D. students?
That they are boring academics.

One thing you would change about doctoral studies tomorrow:
Nothing, I am happy with that.

What would your younger self say if they saw what you are doing today?
Probably: “What does that even mean?”

Are you studying for a follow-up master’s degree, interested in research, and unsure what comes next? Stay curious and keep discovering. Applications for doctoral studies at the Faculty of Law can be submitted until 7 August 2026.