Deposit (Kaucja) & The "Najem Okazjonalny" Contract in Poland

Deposit (Kaucja) & The "Najem Okazjonalny"

Deposit (Kaucja) & The "Najem Okazjonalny" Contract

Before moving in, you must secure your booking financially and understand the specific legal format of Polish rental contracts.

- The Standard: For both EU and Non-EU students, landlords require a security deposit (kaucja).
- The Amount: This usually equals 1 to 2 months of rent.
- Refund Policy: The deposit is fully refundable at the end of your lease, provided the property is returned in the same condition, with no damages beyond normal wear and tear.

In Poland, standard tenant protection laws make evicting non-paying tenants very difficult. To protect themselves, private landlords heavily use a special legal framework called Najem Okazjonalny (Occasional Rental Contract).

- The Requirement: It requires the tenant to sign a notarized declaration (oświadczenie notarialne).
- The Backup Address: In this document, you must provide a certified alternative address (usually within Poland or the EU) where you can be legally evicted if you stop paying rent.
- The Landlord's Consent: The owner of that backup address must also sign a notarized document proving they agree to take you in.

- EU Students: If you have family, relatives, or friends owning property in the EU, you can easily use their address to satisfy the landlord's requirement.
- Non-EU Students: Finding a backup EU address is incredibly difficult if you have no ties to Europe.

The Non-EU Solution: Address-for-Fee Services
If a private landlord insists on Najem Okazjonalny, Non-EU students can legally purchase a notarized backup address through verified online compliance providers (such as NajmCheck or Renters.pl). For a small one-time fee, these platforms legally act as your guarantor address for the notary.

A massive advantage to the students: Official private dormitories (Student Depo and BaseCamp) DO NOT require a Najem Okazjonalny contract. They use standard corporate lease agreements, completely eliminating this bureaucratic nightmare and notary fees for Non-EU students.