Renting an apartment: average prices & safety tips

In order to verify a flat offer, you should have a good eye for apartment offer details. Make sure that all the information about the apartment makes sense. Do not hesitate to ask questions about bills, internet connection, and possible damages. You can also ask for additional photos of the apartment; if the landlord refuses to provide them, you should not deal with such person anymore. Use Google Maps to check whether the apartment location actually exists.

Before renting a flat, you should first of all get to know the average market prices for a flat of your interest. If you find a flat costing half the price, do not get too excited since it may be pure scam.

The average prices for the biggest Polish city centre flats are:

Some landlords or Facebook users providing accommodation ask for additional payment if you would like to see the apartment first. Do not pay any fees upfront if you have not seen the apartment yet. In Poland it is not a rule and you have a right to view the apartment without any additional charges.

A usual rental period in Poland is twelve months. Therefore, make sure that you will stay in the apartment for such period of time; it is usually impossible to terminate the agreement sooner. The deposit for the flat in Poland is usually equal to one month rent.

It is important to negotiate every detail connected to the accommodation before signing the contract. For example, the maintenance of the property should be landlord’s responsibility. Nevertheless, while signing the contract, you should watch out for hidden clauses that may shift the burden to you.

There are several things you should pay attention to while viewing an apartment. Every room and corner should be examined carefully. Try to notice any damages, inform the landlord, and ask them to be repaired. Otherwise, when leaving the apartment, you may be charged for them, even though they had already been there before your arrival. Look for a flat that is convenient and suitable for you. Make sure the flat is well maintained; if it does not have a washing machine or a microwave, you will have to buy them yourself.

If you already know that you will have roommates, talk with them about the landlord, the location, and the flat itself. This is one of the best ways to know more about your potential future home during your stay in Poland. Try to pay special attention to the landlord's behavior and manner of speech. They should be polite and calm. Avoid aggressive and pushy landlords who just want to rent you the apartment for the longest possible term.

Do not forget about public transport access and check whether the connection allows to commute to your job or university quickly.

If you have a pet and you plan on taking it to the flat, you should ask the owner before signing the lease agreement. Last but not least! Make sure you understand all parts of the agreement; if not, it is better to ask for an English version.

Information that should be included in your contract:

• Personal data of landlord and tenant
• Duration of rent and the lease notice period (in Poland it is usually three months)
• Payment deadlines
• Payment method (It is highly recommended to pay via bank transfer in order to have an official payment confirmation.
• Cost of lease and utilities (utilities are not always included in the rental cost)
• Amount of deposit and its form of return (It should be returned at the day of rent ending, or taken as a payment of the last month's rent)

More tips:

• Your main responsibility as a tenant is paying rent and bills on time.
• Before choosing the place to live, it is better to read about the districts of the city first as they may significantly vary in terms of safety, price, and access to different facilities.
• Calculate what type of accommodation you can afford. Do not rent an apartment which you can barely afford. Remember that cost of living is not only rent pay and bills, but also food, transportation, and others.

Article by Pepe Housing: