Demand for rental apartments in Poland has weakened, while rents remain relatively stable but still too expensive for many tenants. In February, interest in rental listings on the Nieruchomosci-online.pl fell 11% month to month and about 10% y/y, partly due to seasonal factors. Activity typically peaks in January and rises again in June when the high rental season begins.

Experts say some renters are increasingly considering buying homes instead, helped by improved mortgage availability after interest rate cuts. At the same time, high rents encourage some people to delay moving, stay in their current apartments, share housing or return to family homes.

Data from Otodom shows the average monthly rent in large Polish cities is about PLN 3,600, with Warsaw the most expensive market at nearly PLN 4,900. Annual rent changes in major cities generally stayed below 5%, while Katowice recorded a decline due to rising supply.

Meanwhile, the number of rental listings is increasing. On Nieruchomosci-online.pl supply rose 3% month to month in February and over 7% y/y, while Otodom reported about 24,500 active listings, up 3.8% m/m. The growth partly reflects seasonal turnover and upcoming EU short term rental regulations that may push some owners to move apartments from platforms like Airbnb to the long term rental market.

Future trends will largely depend on inflation, interest rates and mortgage availability.

(pb.pl)