How to Inspect a Flat Before Renting
How to properly check a flat before renting: documents, check-in handover report, furniture, appliances and utilities. Tenant mistakes and tips.
How to Inspect a Flat Before Renting
Before you sign a lease in Poland, thoroughly inspect the flat. Mistakes at this stage can lead to lost money, disputes with the landlord, or day-to-day problems. Here’s what to look for during the viewing and how to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Why an inspection matters
- Financial safety. You know exactly what you’re paying for and avoid hidden costs.
- Legal protection. Checking documents confirms the person renting it out is the real owner.
- Living comfort. A walkthrough verifies that appliances, furniture and systems work properly.
Step-by-step flat check
- Property documents. Ask for an extract from the land & mortgage register (księga wieczysta) or a deed/sale agreement.
- Condition of the flat. Inspect walls, floors, windows and doors for defects or damp.
- Appliances and furniture. Test household appliances, plumbing fixtures, heating and ventilation.
- Utilities. Photograph meter readings (electricity, water, gas) on move-in.
- Handover report. Sign the lease only together with a check-in handover protocol that records the flat’s condition.
What the handover report should include
| Item to check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Furniture | Quantity, condition, visible damage |
| Appliances | Working order and serial numbers (if any) |
| Plumbing | Function of taps, drains, toilet |
| Meters | Readings at handover |
| Keys | Number of sets, lock condition |
Common tenant mistakes
- Signing a lease without viewing the flat.
- Skipping the check-in handover report.
- Not photographing the flat’s condition.
- Relying on verbal promises from the landlord.
Practical tips
- Bring a witness to the viewing.
- Record everything with photos and video.
- Ask about utility bills and repair history.
- Assess the area: transport, shops, noise level.
FAQ
Can I rent without a handover report?
Formally yes, but proving damage or missing items later is nearly impossible.
Do I need to check the landlord’s documents?
Absolutely. It confirms the flat is let by the owner, not a scammer.
What if I find defects during the viewing?
List them in the handover report or the lease so you’re not blamed at move-out.
Conclusion
A pre-rental inspection is essential to protect your wallet and peace of mind. Always request documents, examine the flat carefully, document its condition, and sign a detailed handover report. This approach helps you avoid disputes and unexpected costs.
Inspect the property and match a guarantee
Review contents
Inspect the property and match a guarantee
Review contentsUseful materials and fresh news
Read tips, legal explanations, and important updates for tenants and landlords.
Mistakes and tips · 06.09.2025
How to Determine a Fair Rent Price
How to gauge the real market rent in Poland: price drivers, comparing listings, common renter mistakes, and practical tips.
Legal aspects · 29.08.2025
How a Tenant Can Protect Their Rights under Najem Okazjonalny
Step-by-step guide for tenants: how to protect your rights under Najem Okazjonalny in Poland — what to include in the lease, what documents to keep, how to act in disputes, and when to seek legal help.
FAQ and additional materials · 09.09.2025
Frequently Asked Questions about Najem Okazjonalny
Detailed answers to common questions about Najem Okazjonalny in Poland: setup, term, costs, and the rights & duties of landlord and tenant.
FAQ and additional materials · 09.09.2025
How long it takes to finalize a Najem Okazjonalny lease
A breakdown of the timeline for Najem Okazjonalny in Poland: steps, typical durations, what causes delays, and how to speed things up.
Surety and guarantor · 16.08.2025
Personal Guarantee — Requirements
We explain the requirements for a personal guarantee in a Najem Okazjonalny agreement: who can act as guarantor, what data are mandatory, the forms, and the risks.
General information about Najem Okazjonalny · 09.08.2025
Deadlines for Registering a Contract with a Notary
Explaining how long it takes to register a Najem Okazjonalny lease with a notary in Poland, the step-by-step process, and ways to speed it up.
General information about Najem Okazjonalny · 09.08.2025
In Which Polish Cities Is Najem Okazjonalny Most Common?
We analyze in which Polish cities Najem Okazjonalny is most frequently used — mainly in large urban centers where landlords seek strong legal protection.
Legal aspects · 30.08.2025
When a Najem Okazjonalny Lease Is Invalid
When a Najem Okazjonalny lease in Poland is considered invalid: no notary, no guarantee statement, incorrect data or missing annexes.
Mistakes and tips · 06.09.2025
Apartment Photos That Should Raise Red Flags
Which rental listing photos should make you cautious: signs of scams, hidden defects, and tips for verifying a flat.
Legal aspects · 30.08.2025
Can You Sign a Najem Okazjonalny Lease Online
Whether a Najem Okazjonalny lease in Poland can be signed online: which steps can be done remotely and what still requires a notary. Tips for tenants and landlords.
General information about Najem Okazjonalny · 09.08.2025
Documents Required for Najem Okazjonalny
A complete checklist of documents for Najem Okazjonalny in Poland: notarial statements, confirmations, and attachments for tenants and landlords. Table, checklists, and practical tips.
Legal aspects · 29.08.2025
How Eviction Works under a Najem Okazjonalny Lease
A detailed look at eviction under Najem Okazjonalny in Poland: stages, the notary’s role, rights of landlord and tenant, and how it compares to a standard lease.
Legal aspects · 30.08.2025
How a Landlord Files for Eviction under Najem Okazjonalny
A step-by-step guide for landlords in Poland: when eviction is possible under Najem Okazjonalny, the procedure, and the roles of the notary, the court (enforcement clause) and the bailiff.
Legal aspects · 27.08.2025
The Legal Framework of Najem Okazjonalny in Poland
A breakdown of the legal basis for Najem Okazjonalny in Poland: which laws govern the lease, the notary’s role, the parties’ rights and obligations, and practical implications for tenants and landlords.
Mistakes and tips · 05.09.2025
How to Inspect a Flat Before Renting
How to properly check a flat before renting: documents, check-in handover report, furniture, appliances and utilities. Tenant mistakes and tips.
Legal aspects · 29.08.2025
What Penalties/Charges Can a Najem Okazjonalny Lease Include
A look at penalties and charges in a Polish Najem Okazjonalny lease: late payments, property damage, subletting and delayed move-out. Tips for landlords and tenants.
Legal aspects · 29.08.2025
How to Avoid Fraud in Najem Okazjonalny
Common fraud schemes in Najem Okazjonalny in Poland and how to avoid them: fake guarantees, sham leases, unlawful deposit withholding. Tips for tenants and landlords.
Legal aspects · 29.08.2025
What to Do if the Landlord Breaches a Najem Okazjonalny Lease
We explain which landlord actions breach a Najem Okazjonalny lease, how to respond properly, where to escalate, and how to protect your rights in Poland.
Legal aspects · 29.08.2025
The Role of Courts in Najem Okazjonalny
What role courts play in Najem Okazjonalny: why a court is needed for eviction, how the process differs from a standard lease, the most common disputes, and each party’s rights.
FAQ and additional materials · 09.09.2025
Can you rent without a guarantor statement?
When renting in Poland, when is a guarantor statement not needed, how does that differ from Najem Okazjonalny, and what risks and alternatives exist?
Life situations · 04.09.2025
How to find housing in Poland if you don’t have a guarantor
What to do if you don’t have a guarantor for Najem Okazjonalny. Solutions: third-party guarantor services, higher deposit, a standard lease and alternative guarantees.
Legal aspects · 29.08.2025
Is a Notary Required When Signing a Najem Okazjonalny Lease
We explain why a notary is needed in Poland for Najem Okazjonalny: the notary’s role, required documents, costs, and what happens if you skip the notarial form.
Mistakes and tips · 06.09.2025
How to Behave at a Meeting with the Landlord
Tips for meeting a landlord: preparation, key questions, etiquette, and common mistakes to avoid.
FAQ and additional materials · 12.09.2025
Can you change the terms of a Najem Okazjonalny lease in Poland?
A clear guide to amending a Najem Okazjonalny lease in Poland: which clauses can be changed, when a notary is required, how to document amendments properly, and the risks of verbal agreements.
FAQ and additional materials · 12.09.2025
How to restore notarised documents in Poland
Step-by-step guide to restoring lost notarised documents in Poland: Najem Okazjonalny lease, guarantor statement and other attachments. Process, timelines, costs and tips.