Rent an apartment/house in Poland

Renting an apartment or a house in Poland

Renting an apartment/house in Poland may seem like a simple process to Ukrainians, but it contains a number of legal nuances that are important to know, especially for foreigners. In this article, we will consider the legal stages under which the services of a lawyer may or may not be provided, how to understand the rental process on your own, common questions, and what the cost of a lawyer's services depends on.

Legal stages of renting an apartment or a house in Poland

The process of renting real estate in Poland includes several key legal stages:

• Legal advice on renting an apartment/house in Poland.
• Search for a rental property. The landlord (apartment or house owner) publishes an ad or contacts a real estate agent to find a tenant. The tenant can independently search for housing on specialized sites or through agencies.
• Negotiations on the terms of the contract. Before signing the rental agreement, it is important to discuss all aspects of cooperation: rent, deposit, duration of the agreement, responsibilities of the parties regarding repairs, etc. At this stage, a lawyer may be involved to analyze the conditions and ensure the interests of the tenant or landlord.
• Signing the lease agreement. The lease agreement is the main document regulating the relationship between the lessor and the lessee. It should contain information about the parties, an accurate description of the property, terms of lease, terms and other important points. A lawyer for renting an apartment/house in Poland can check the legality of the contract and ensure that it complies with Polish legislation.
• Registration of the contract. A lease agreement usually does not require registration with government authorities, however, in the case of a long-term lease or when entering into a so-called "stable lease" (umowa najmu okazjonalnego), registration with a notary may be necessary. This is done to protect the interests of both parties.
• Rights protection and dispute resolution. If disputes arise between a tenant and a landlord, Polish apartment/house rental lawyers can act as mediators or representatives in court to resolve conflicts.

Under what conditions can the service of renting an apartment or a house in Poland be provided?

Legal assistance for renting an apartment/house in Poland can be provided in the following cases:

1. Complex contractual conditions. If the tenant or the landlord has doubts about the terms of the contract, for example, about the responsibility for paying for utilities, the right to repair or termination of the contract, a lawyer will help to correctly assess the situation.
2. Notarization of the contract. Some types of contracts, such as "rent on demand" (najem okazjonalny), require the participation of a notary public.
3. Settlement of disputes. If disputes arise between the parties or one of the parties violates the terms of the contract, a lawyer can help prepare documents for court or settle the conflict.
4. Real estate inspection. A lawyer can check whether the real estate complies with legal regulations and whether the owner has all the necessary documents for renting out housing.

Under what conditions can the service of renting residential property in Poland not be provided?

The dispute was resolved without judicial intervention. If both parties have reached an agreement and are ready to settle all issues directly between themselves, the services of a lawyer may be optional.

Simple rental relations. In cases where the contract is standard, without special conditions or complications, hiring a lawyer may be an unnecessary and costly step.

Lack of legal grounds. If the tenant or landlord does not have legal grounds for filing a lawsuit or other legal actions (for example, the contract was concluded informally), the lawyer will not be able to provide support.

How to rent an apartment or a house in Poland on your own?

You can figure out the rental process yourself by following several important steps:

1. Read the contract carefully. Before signing the contract, you should carefully study all its terms. It is especially important to pay attention to items related to rent, lease term, responsibility for repairs and utility payments. Also find out the current list of documents for renting an apartment/house in Poland.
2. Learn Polish legislation. The main laws governing tenancy in Poland include The Law on the Protection of Tenants' Rights and the Civil Code of Poland.
3. Consult a specialist. If in doubt, you can get free or low-cost advice from local legal organizations.

Frequently asked questions about renting Polish residential property

What does the cost of renting an apartment or a house in Poland depend on?

The cost of legal services when renting a house depends on several factors:

• The complexity of the case. If the lease agreement has non-standard terms or if there is a conflict between the parties, the cost of a lawyer's services may increase.
• The need for judicial intervention. If the case goes to court, legal fees will increase, including court representation fees.
• Type of contract. If notarization of the contract or additional legal services is required, this also affects the final cost.
• Location of the lawyer. The cost of services may vary depending on the region of Poland and the level of specialization of the lawyer.