How and where best to rent accommodation in Poland
Searching for a place to rent in Warsaw can be done on the basis of your own experience in your home town. But, unfortunately, it can all be a bad idea. Because a cheap rent might be only a fraction of the cost; tempting locations on a map may be next to noisy bars; or you might find yourself looking for a long flat without a deposit.
Getting started
In the capital a remote search for meters of living space works very poorly. If you don’t have Polish-speaking friends who can take you anywhere in the city, talk to the landlords and advise you on all the details of a long-term lease, you can use Airbnb or Booking portals.
If that’s not an option for you, then consider using the services of companies that rent flats in their ownership. For example, Resin4Rent offers long-term and medium-term accommodation for rent. You can easily find accommodations for families with children and pets. Monthly rent payments start at 500 euros.
It is better to look for accommodation in advance, because it is much easier to find a flat to rent in 2 months than “same day” rentals. In general, you may need to look for more than 10 days.
Which districts of the capital are suitable for renting
Warsaw has a metro, but it is not necessary to have your own route to its lines. The ground transport in Warsaw runs like clockwork. The app jakdojade is here to help you get where you want to go.
You do not need to look for lodgings in the centre of Warsaw. The Śródmieście area will give you a chance to explore the culture and party scene.
Ursynów, Żoliborz, Wilanów, Praga-Południe and Bielany are some of the best locations in Warsaw.
In the southern part of the capital, the Ursynów district is very fresh and full of greenery with good infrastructure. There are plenty of shops selling souvenirs and other necessities. The area is perfect for families with children and sports enthusiasts.
The Wilanów neighbourhood, adjacent to the previously described area, is safe and to the east there is Wesołą, an eco-friendly area with green areas. Żoliborz is also rich in green areas and historical heritage.
What is the best place to stay
If you consider yourself a budget-friendly tenant, look no further than a 16-20 sq m apartment, called a kawalka. – These are called kavalerki. If you need more space, you may be looking for a 40-metre flat in Warsaw.
Pay attention to the price
Prices vary depending on the size, area and owner. Small flats start at 430 euros, two- and three-bedroom flats at 650 euros, and flats of 80 sq.m. and more at 1,000 euros.
How to negotiate correctly
It is often necessary to enlist the help of a person with knowledge of the Polish language or a realtor to negotiate the best option. Agents work from their own base and their fees range from 50 to 123% of the monthly rent of the property.
How to prepare documents
If you are in any doubt as to whether you are the owner of the property, you can check the title deeds. Make sure you draw up a deed of meldunek and make sure that it does not contain a clause prohibiting you from obtaining it.
This document may be signed for a long period, so each party is legally protected, with the tenant against eviction and the landlord against the tenant moving out quickly.
If you have a childb the landlord can apply for a notarial deed, which legally allows them to do so, giving them an assurance that they will move out if they are not happy with the property.
Pay attention to the clause relating to the termination of the contract. Many landlords state that they will not refund the deposit if the renter moves out early.
Remember to add any defects to the report when you move out. It is a good idea to take photos and videos of the property and attach them to the agreement. Negotiate with your landlord about who will pay for the work.
Making settlements
It is not a good idea to pay for the rent without making an agreement. Some services are not included in the rent. A service charge for the maintenance company may be around 85 euros, for a small flat around 320 euros and for electricity around 20 euros.
It is also worth discussing with the landlord whether you can make your own payment for the receipts or whether the landlord will do it himself.
In the capital the landlord can charge you a deposit which will be refunded when you move out, as long as you have not damaged the accommodation.
