Rental contract guide

• Najem zwykły (regular) — the standard. Strongest tenant protection: eviction only through court.
• Najem okazjonalny — individual landlord, up to 10 years. Requires the tenant's notarised declaration of voluntary eviction and a backup address. Not a trap — such landlords are often more organised.
• Najem instytucjonalny — same idea, but the landlord is a company.

• Full details of both parties: names, PESEL/passport, addresses. Make sure the owner signs (or a power of attorney!).
• Exact address and description; furniture listed in the protocol annex.
• Term: fixed (na czas określony) or indefinite (nieokreślony).
• Czynsz najmu (rent to the owner) and separately: who pays czynsz administracyjny and utilities.
• Deposit: amount, return rules, deadline (one month by law).
• Handover protocol as an annex (załącznik).
• Termination rules (wypowiedzenie) for both sides.

• A “no meldunek” clause — residence registration is your legal right; the landlord's consent isn't required. The clause is void, but telling.
• Deposit above 2–3 months' rent — unusual, negotiate.
• “The landlord may terminate at any time” — a fixed-term lease can only be terminated for reasons written into it.
• Cash only with no receipts; refusing to show proof of ownership.
• Contractual penalties for everything: guests, one day's delay, “noise”.
• An obligation to “repaint on move-out” ignoring normal wear.
• “No contract needed, we trust each other” — without a contract you have no protection.

• Czynsz najmu — rent to the owner.
• Czynsz administracyjny — building fee to the housing community (often includes water, heating, rubbish).
• Media — electricity, gas, internet per meters.
• Listed prices often exclude the building fee and utilities — ask for the all-in amount and demand a yearly utilities reconciliation (rozliczenie).

• Fixed term: early termination only for reasons written in the contract (make sure you have some too!).
• Indefinite: notice periods per contract; a tenant who pays on time is strongly protected by law.
• Rent increases require a written notice (wypowiedzenie wysokości czynszu) at least 3 months ahead.
• Send your own move-out notice in writing and keep proof.

Residence registration is your right and formally a duty (stays >30 days). Done at the local office; the lease is enough. It gives you no rights to the property — reassure the landlord if needed. Foreigners need it for many procedures (PESEL, residence card).

1. Read the whole contract. Don't understand a clause — translate it, ask, never sign blind.
2. Compare price and terms with the listing: everything promised — in writing.
3. Ask for proof of ownership: the księga wieczysta number can be checked free online (ekw.ms.gov.pl).
4. Check the protocol and photograph the flat (see the deposit guide).
5. Two copies, signatures on every page, one for you.

• najemca — tenant (you) · wynajmujący — landlord
• kaucja — deposit · odstępne — non-refundable “entry” fee (avoid)
• protokół zdawczo-odbiorczy — handover protocol
• wypowiedzenie — termination/notice · okres wypowiedzenia — notice period
• księga wieczysta — land register · zameldowanie — residence registration
• kary umowne — contractual penalties · rozliczenie mediów — utilities reconciliation