💡 In ads czynsz is rent, opłaty or media utilities (electricity, water, heating), kaucja a deposit, umeblowane furnished, dwa pokoje two-room.
💡 Czynsz najmu is the rent itself; czynsz administracyjny (to the administrator) and media (water, electricity, gas, heating) are extra; ask ile wynosi całość miesięcznie? (how much in total per month).
💡 A real estate agency (pośrednik) may charge a commission (prowizja), often one month's rent; ask about it in the first call.
💡 In a shared flat young people use "ty"; ask whether the czynsz (rent) includes the opłaty (utilities and internet) and how many people live in the flat.
💡 Umeblowane means furnished; z wyposażeniem means with appliances; in adverts (Otodom, OLX) look at the czynsz (rent) and the opłaty (utilities) separately.
💡 A landlord may ask for an umowa o pracę (employment contract), account statements and a copy of your ID; newcomers can show a work contract or proof of income and a guarantee.
💡 You arrive on time for a viewing; often several people come, so having documents (passport, proof of income) on you is useful; questions about pets and furnishing are asked straight away.
💡 Useful words: ogrzewanie (heating), umeblowane (furnished), zwierzęta (animals), piwnica (cellar), miejsce parkingowe (parking space).
💡 After the viewing say you like it; the owner usually answers in a few days; you can leave your contact and documents.
💡 In the lease (umowa najmu) look at okres najmu (term), czynsz, kaucja, okres wypowiedzenia (notice period), zasady podwyżki (rules of increase); don't sign until you understand.
💡 Najem okazjonalny is a special contract in which the tenant signs a declaration of voluntary eviction before a notary; owners often require it because it's quicker to recover the flat.
💡 For zameldowanie (registration) at the address the owner's consent is needed; clarify this before signing; without it you can't register or receive some benefits.
💡 Subletting a room (podnajem) without the owner's written consent is not allowed; with guests (goście) it is usually simple: staying overnight for a few days is fine.
💡 When you move in a protokół zdawczo-odbiorczy (handover record) is drawn up: note all damage and the meter readings, take photos; both sides sign and you keep a copy until you move out.
💡 You may sublet a room (podnajem) only with the owner's written consent; the subtenant also has to be registered at the address, so ask about it at the municipal office.
💡 The kaucja (deposit) is usually one to two months' rent (by law not more than twelve); the owner returns it after moving out if there are no claims, in the period stated in the contract.
💡 The opłaty usually include water, heating, rubbish collection, cleaning; prąd (electricity) and gaz (gas) are often arranged separately; clarify what exactly is included.
💡 A licznik is a meter (water, gas, electricity); on moving in the readings (stan licznika) are recorded in the protocol; afterwards they are submitted to the administrator monthly or on request.
💡 The deposit (kaucja) is usually returned within thirty days after you move out if the flat is in order; the cost of repairs may be deducted; the law limits the deposit to a few months' rent.
💡 In a breakdown notify the owner or administrator (administracja) by phone and in writing; for emergencies (awaria) there is a round-the-clock number posted at the building door.
💡 Report defects (usterki) in writing with photos and a date; that makes it easier to show the problem was not your fault; keep the reply.
💡 Tradesmen often give a time window (między ósmą a dwunastą); an adult must be at home; the tradesman phones before arriving.
💡 If water is leaking: stop it, put a bucket under it, switch off the power in the room, photograph the damage and tell the administration (administracja); write down the date and time.
💡 The smoke detector (czujnik dymu) in Polish flats is usually looked after by the owner or the administration; beeping often means a weak battery (bateria).
💡 Termination (wypowiedzenie) is submitted in writing observing the period in the contract (often one month); preferably by letter with confirmation, keeping a copy.
💡 At handover a protokół zdawczo-odbiorczy (handover record) is made with the condition of the flat and meter readings; you hand in all keys and photograph the condition.
💡 Whether you have to paint the walls when you leave is written in the contract; small signs of use are normal, large stains and holes must be repaired; if in doubt ask a lawyer or a tenants' association.
💡 You sign up for electricity with the supplier for the address: you need the meter number and its reading; you pay in advance every month according to the harmonogram płatności (payment schedule).
💡 In an internet contract look at the contract term (often twenty-four months) and the notice period; the router is usually included; ask about a contract with no long commitment.
💡 Once a year (or more often) the water and heat meters are read by an administration employee or you report the readings yourself; write down your readings and take a photo to be safe.