August is traditionally the time when students – but also families with school-age children – search for rental housing. With each passing week, hunting down a bargain becomes more difficult. In Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław, the supply of apartments has already been shrinking for three months, and July brought an increase in median rents.
“The rental market is highly seasonal. Demand disappears in the winter, revives in spring, and peaks in early autumn when students are looking for apartments. The same is true this year. What is concerning, however, is the faster-than-usual decline in the number of available apartments. The last time we saw such low availability at this time of year was in 2022, when Poland received a large wave of refugees from Ukraine,”
says Marek Wielgo, an expert at real estate portal GetHome.pl.
Fewer Apartments, Even Before Peak Season
According to data from Adradar, a property listings search engine, 53,500 new unique rental offers appeared on the market nationwide in July – 14% more than in June. However, about 56,500 listings were withdrawn, up 18% month-on-month. As a result, the total supply shrank from 75,000 to 72,000, a 4% drop.
Wielgo notes that the current offer is more than 6% lower than a year ago. Typically, the number of apartments available for rent grows during this period, but this year it is shrinking noticeably – even before the so-called high season has started. For example, in Warsaw, renters could choose from 19,300 listings in March, 14,700 in June, and just 13,900 in July. For the second month in a row, the capital’s supply shrank by 5%.
Other metropolitan areas varied due to local conditions. In July, the number of rental apartments fell by 3% in Kraków (to 6,300) and by 2% in Wrocław (to 5,200) – two of the country’s largest academic centers.
Meanwhile, supply grew sharply in Gdańsk (up 9% to 2,500), though it still remains more than 20% below levels at the end of last year. In Łódź, the supply rose by 7% (to 3,000), and in Poznań by 6% (to 3,400). Katowice remained stable at around 2,300 units.
What Happened to Rents?
The situation especially affects students heading to Warsaw, where the cheapest apartments are disappearing. GetHome.pl data shows that in the capital, the median rent rose by 2% in July compared to June, to about 4,700 zł. In Poznań, it increased by 3% (to 2,600 zł), and in Wrocław by 1% (to just over 2,800 zł). The rise in Wrocław is notable since it came despite an increase in supply – suggesting that relatively expensive units entered the market, while the cheaper ones were quickly rented.
In other cities, the median rent remained unchanged from June. In July, it was 3,000 zł in Kraków, 3,200 zł in Gdańsk, 2,200 zł in Łódź, and 2,100 zł in Katowice.
“At this point, only in Warsaw and Wrocław are average rents still lower than at the end of last year. But all signs point to increases across the board by September,”
says Wielgo.
For most students, renting alone is not financially realistic. Studios are considered a luxury, so they usually look for larger apartments they can share with friends, reducing costs.
Where Is Renting Most Expensive?
Unsurprisingly, Warsaw is the priciest place to study. In July, the median rent for a two-room apartment was about 3,800 zł per month, and for a three-room flat, about 5,500 zł.
It’s slightly cheaper in Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Kraków, where the median monthly rent for two-room units was around 2,800–3,000 zł, and for three-room flats: 4,200 zł, 3,500 zł, and 3,900 zł, respectively.
Łódź and Katowice remain the most affordable: 2,100–2,300 zł for two-room apartments, and 2,500–3,200 zł for three-room units.
Wielgo notes that in practice, rents may be lower since the figures come from listing prices. Students typically look for cheaper-than-average housing. Rent levels also depend heavily on location and condition, but proximity to campus remains the most important factor.
Expert Advice for Students
Wielgo advises students to follow ten rules when renting:
- Don’t delay the search – each week makes it harder to find a deal.
- Be alert for fraudsters who set up seasonal “agencies.”
- Always sign a rental agreement, as it defines both parties’ rights and obligations.
- If offered an “occasional lease,” try negotiating a rent discount.
- Never accept assurances that a written agreement isn’t necessary.
- Compare offers carefully – similar apartments can vary greatly in price.
- Always negotiate the rent.
- Prepare a handover protocol to document the apartment’s condition.
- Record meter readings to avoid paying for previous tenants’ usage.
- Consider tenant insurance, since a landlord’s policy won’t cover your belongings.
Good News: Support for Dormitories
On August 22, 2025, an amendment to the Act on Social Housing Development will take effect, providing funding for the construction and renovation of dormitories – up to 80% of project costs. The Ministry of Development and Technology has pledged to allocate 10% of the Subsidy Fund at the state-owned BGK bank to this goal each year, aiming to improve access to education for students from smaller towns.
Meanwhile, Central Statistical Office (GUS) data shows that in the last five years, the number of dormitories owned by public universities fell from 471 to 434. In 2019, they offered over 123,000 beds, but last year that number dropped below 112,000 – and in reality, as many as 30,000 fewer may be usable due to poor building conditions. Last year, only about 6.4% of students lived in dormitories.
“Since there are not enough dormitory places, students turn to the private rental market. This reduces availability for others who would also like to become independent,”
Wielgo concludes.
Source: CEO.com.pl
