Rental Deposit & Move-in Cost Calculator 2026

Most commonly the rental deposit in Poland equals one month of rent. Under the tenant protection act the deposit may not exceed 12 times the monthly rent, but in practice landlords ask for 1–3 months. At a rent of PLN 2,500 a one-month deposit is PLN 2,500 and a three-month deposit PLN 7,500.

Yes, the deposit is refundable in principle. The landlord returns it within one month of vacating the flat, after deducting any amounts due (e.g. damage beyond normal wear or rent arrears). To avoid disputes, prepare a handover protocol with photos at move-in and move-out.

A standard estate agent commission for a rental is one month of rent (100%) plus VAT, although 50% or negotiated rates also occur. The commission is usually paid by the tenant. At a rent of PLN 2,500 a 100% commission is PLN 2,500. Renting directly from the owner avoids this cost.

The total move-in cost includes: the deposit (1–3 rents), the agent commission (usually 1 rent), the first rent in advance and admin fees and utilities. At a rent of PLN 2,500 with a one-month deposit and 100% commission the starting cost is about PLN 8,100. It is a large one-off amount worth budgeting for.

The rules do not forbid paying the deposit in instalments, but it depends entirely on the landlord’s goodwill. Most owners require the full deposit before handing over the keys. Some platforms offer deposit insurance (cashless deposit), where instead of a payment you pay a lower monthly premium to an insurer.

Admin fees are usually the charge to the cooperative or community (renovation fund, cleaning, management) plus advance payments for utilities (water, heating, waste collection). They often amount to PLN 400–900 per month and are paid separately from the rent to the owner. Check the agreement whether they are included in the rent or charged separately.

For private (market) tenancies the deposit is usually not interest-bearing — the landlord returns the nominal amount. Indexation of the deposit by the inflation rate applies mainly to municipal housing. In a private tenancy agreement it is worth specifying the deposit return terms.

Under article 6 of the tenant protection act the deposit may not exceed 12 times the monthly rent calculated at the rate in force on the date of the agreement. In market practice deposits above 3 rents are rare and may deter tenants. Higher deposits are sometimes used for premium flats or where the tenant’s solvency is uncertain.

A tenant who is a private individual does not deduct the agent commission from tax — it is a private cost. However, if you rent the flat for business purposes, the agent commission may be a tax-deductible cost. This requires an invoice issued to the company. The rules are governed by the PIT act.

The calculator gives an indicative move-in cost based on the rent and the parameters provided. The agent commission is usually increased by 23% VAT if the agent is a VAT payer — worth clarifying before signing. The calculator computes the commission as a percent of rent; add the tax yourself for the full VAT-inclusive amount.