Excessive Rent: Tenant Rights in Poland
If you as a tenant in Poland receive a proposal or demand to pay excessive rent, this guide explains practical steps you can take. You will find advice on how to assess the validity of an increase, how to gather evidence, which laws protect tenants and when to seek legal help or bring the case to court. The text plainly explains lease clauses, CPI indexing and deadlines for notices. It focuses on common residential tenancy situations in Poland and on practical actions that help keep documentation and respond effectively without specialized legal knowledge. You will also find information on when to negotiate with the landlord, how to report issues to authorities and which institutions provide tenant support.
What does "excessive rent" mean?
In practice, it is a price that significantly exceeds market rates or the terms set out in the lease. Law and practice rely on the Act on the Protection of Tenants and the principles of the Civil Code[1][2].
If in doubt, collect documents and market comparisons.
How to assess whether the rent is excessive?
- Compare with other offers on the local market (market).
- Check lease clauses on rent and indexing (rent).
- Gather evidence: photos, correspondence and receipts (evidence).
- Verify the landlord's repair obligations (repair).
- Contact the landlord or property manager in writing (call).
Keep copies of all documents and messages.
Possible legal and administrative steps
If discussion does not help, you can file a complaint with municipal authorities, bring the case to court or seek mediation. For court matters, the District Court (civil division) is usually competent[3].
Act quickly — procedural deadlines matter for preserving rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can the landlord raise the rent arbitrarily?
- No. Increases are limited by the lease terms and law; sudden, excessive increases can be challenged in court.
- How to collect evidence?
- Document correspondence, keep receipts, photos of the apartment condition and copies of the lease.
- Where to file a claim?
- At the District Court competent for the location of the rental unit.
How to proceed
- Collect evidence (evidence): lease, receipts, photos and correspondence.
- Send a written demand to reduce the rent and keep proof of delivery (notice).
- Try mediation or report the problem to the municipal housing authority (call).
- If negotiations fail, file a claim in the District Court and attach all evidence (court). [3]
- Prepare for the hearing: copies of documents, list of evidence and any witnesses.
Key takeaways
- Collect and organize documents from day one of the tenancy (tip).
- A written demand increases your chances in court (evidence).
- Seek mediation before filing a lawsuit to save time and costs (call).
Help and Support / Resources
- [1] ISAP — Act on the Protection of Tenants
- [2] ISAP — Civil Code
- [3] Ministry of Justice — information about courts
