Renting a flat in Poland: how to find one and avoid scams

Where to look

• OLX and Otodom are the biggest listing sites. The “Prywatne” filter shows listings from owners, without an agency.
• Groups for Ukrainians in your city on Facebook and Telegram — rooms are often rented there, but there are more scammers too.
• Estate agencies (biuro nieruchomości) usually charge a commission, most often equal to one month's rent. The commission is stated in the listing or in the agreement with the agency.

What the payment consists of

Polish listings often split the price into parts, and the figure in the title is not the whole amount.

• Czynsz najmu — the rent proper, which goes to the owner.
• Czynsz administracyjny — the building service charge: cleaning, lift, rubbish collection, often heating and water. It can be several hundred złoty.
• Media — electricity, gas, internet, sometimes metered water. Sometimes included, sometimes paid separately.
• Kaucja — the deposit, usually one or two months' rent. It is returned when you move out if the flat is not damaged.

What to check before signing

1. See the flat in person or on a live video call — not just in photos.
2. Make sure the landlord really is the owner: ask for the land and mortgage register number (księga wieczysta) and check it for free on ekw.ms.gov.pl.
3. Sign a written rental agreement (umowa najmu). It should state the address, the term, the rent and, separately, what the payment includes, the deposit amount and how it is returned, and the notice period.
4. When moving in, draw up a handover report (protokół zdawczo-odbiorczy) describing the condition of the flat and the meter readings, with photos. It protects your deposit.
5. Pay by bank transfer, not in cash without a receipt.

Najem okazjonalny — what it is

Many owners offer “najem okazjonalny” (occasional lease). It is a contract that makes it easier for the owner to evict a tenant. The tenant attaches a notarised declaration agreeing to move out when the contract ends and gives an address they could move to — with the consent of that property's owner.

This kind of contract is legal and common. Just factor in the notary's fee and agree in advance who pays it.

Signs of a scam

• The price is noticeably lower than similar listings nearby.
• The “owner” is abroad and asks for prepayment to “send the keys” or “make a reservation”.
• You are asked for money before a viewing or before signing a contract.
• Links to a “secure payment” or “key delivery” outside the listing site.
• They refuse to show documents for the property or give the księga wieczysta number.