Fewer new listings, lower tenant interest and stable prices — according to data from Otodom, this is what the rental market looked like in October 2025. Compared to September, the number of newly added listings fell by as much as 20%, while responses to them dropped by 31%. Meanwhile, the average rental price remained at 3,600 PLN. Notably, the growing availability of mortgage loans is becoming increasingly visible in the background, with some tenants now shifting toward buying their own homes.
After the summer peak, the rental market is slowing down. Autumn is traditionally a calmer period, and the fourth quarter usually brings stabilization after the intense summer months. This time, however, the situation may be less predictable. The reason: a series of interest rate cuts and improving mortgage availability, whose effects are now beginning to influence the rental sector as well.
Fewer new listings after the season
According to Otodom, at the end of October the number of active rental listings reached 26,900 — 2.3% more than in September. However, throughout the month, 20% fewer new listings were added than in the preceding month. Despite lower current activity from property owners, it is worth noting that the total listing base was 11% larger than in October 2024.
“From July to September, we typically see the strongest activity on the rental market. An influx of students and young adults moving to major cities for studies or work makes them the most active group searching for apartments in the third quarter. Many landlords tailor their offers to this group. In autumn, however, the listings coming onto the market are targeted more toward different types of tenants,” explains Agata Stachowiak, housing market expert at Otodom.
An increase in available apartments was observed in only six out of the 18 monitored cities. A double-digit increase occurred solely in Gdańsk (+11%), although this was far below the rise recorded in September (+31% m/m) or August (+58% m/m). According to experts, this is a natural effect of seasonality and the gradual return of units from short-term summer rentals to the long-term market.
“In many cities the tourist season no longer ends with summer. We increasingly see short-term tenants staying active until late September or even early October. Only then do owners decide to make their units available for long-term rental,” adds Stachowiak.
After September’s boom: time for selection
With the end of the intense rental season, interest from potential tenants also fell sharply. Compared to September, the number of inquiries decreased by as much as 31%. The reason is the withdrawal of key demand groups — students and young professionals — who were actively searching over the summer for the new academic or work year.
“September was the peak. Decisions were made rapidly, and apartments were disappearing from the market quickly. October brought a more selective approach from tenants, often combined with waiting for new listings to appear,” Stachowiak notes.
Despite lower activity, user preferences remain unchanged. Two-room apartments have been the most sought-after for months, accounting for half of all rental searches on Otodom in October. Among them, units larger than 40 sq m were preferred.
The rental market responds to shifting dynamics
Average rental prices remain stable. According to Otodom, in October the average asking rent was around 3,600 PLN, or 71 PLN per square meter. Compared to September, the price level barely changed; on an annual basis, the increase was just 1%.
The highest prices are still found in Warsaw, where the cost of renting an apartment exceeded 4,900 PLN. Kraków followed at around 3,300 PLN, and the Tricity at 3,200 PLN. In Wrocław and Szczecin rents hovered near 3,000 PLN, while in Poznań, Lublin, Rzeszów and Opole the typical range was 2,500–2,600 PLN. The lowest rents were reported in Kielce and Białystok — around 2,000 PLN per month.
Will rents become cheaper or more expensive in the coming months? One key factor influencing the direction of change is the stance of the National Bank of Poland. Declining interest rates and easier access to mortgages mean that more people now see buying a home as an alternative to renting. This especially applies to units of 30–40 sq m, popular among young couples and families starting independent life. This group is the most sensitive to improvements in lending conditions and increasingly chooses homeownership over continued renting.
“In the current environment, landlords may face pressure to become more flexible on pricing, particularly for units that directly compete with those listed for sale. This may work in tenants’ favor. Lower demand pressure and more units returning to the rental market after owners decide to buy their own homes create space for negotiation. In the long term, the rental market will need to adapt to the new credit reality — which most likely means further price stabilization and, in some cities, even downward adjustments,” summarizes Agata Stachowiak.
