The residents of the blocks have already received 700 PLN increases. Rents are rising at a staggering rate

The year 2025 brings fresh challenges for the inhabitants of Polish cities. Rent increasesthat scope even 120%, are the consequence of expanding maintenance costs of the property, higher interest rates and dynamically costly municipal services. This phenomenon puts many families in financial difficulties, forcing them to reduce another expenses or change their place of residence.

Increasing cost of housing

Data indicate that the average household in Poland presently spends on rent about 1600-1800 PLN per month, while 2 years ago the average was around 1300 zł. In large cities specified as Warsaw, Kraków and Gdańsk, these amounts are even higher. For example:

• W Warsaw average rent for 50-metre flat is presently 2800-3200 zł, while in 2023 it was around 1900-2200 zł.
• W Kraków prices increased from 1600-2000 zł au 2300-2700 zł.
• In Gdańsk the average rent is presently 2500 zł, which means an increase by 40% in 2 years.

One of the main factors affecting these changes are increases in municipal charges, including water, heating and garbage removal. In 2025 in any cities heating costs increased even by 15-20 %which automatically translates into higher rent fees.

Who feels the crisis most?

The most affected by the crisis are those who rent housing and low income families. For specified households, where monthly income is around 4000-5000 zł, rent expenses even absorb 40% of the budgetwhich is well above the recommended level 30%.
For example, a household with 2 children, renting an flat in Warsaw for PLN 3000, must allocate additional funds to media bills that can even scope 800-1000 PLN per month. As a result, they have little to eat, education or entertainment.

Causes of drastic rent increases

Experts indicate respective main reasons for the current situation:

1. Inflation and increase in energy costs – Although inflation in 2025 fell to about 6%, erstwhile years of double-digit inflation proceed to affect the prices of goods and services. The rising energy costs force property owners to transfer these expenses to tenants.
2. Higher interest rates – Despite the mitigation of monetary policy, interest rates in Poland are inactive comparatively advanced (about 5.5% in January 2025). This means higher mortgage costs, which property owners transfer to rents.
3. No housing available – Poland inactive lacks housing for rent. The number of fresh improvement investments has fallen by 15%, which further increases the force to increase rental prices.

Social impact of the housing crisis

High rents force many families to make hard decisions:

• More and more people decide moving to smaller citieswhere the cost of surviving is lower.
• Young couples are increasingly choosing living with parentsto reduce expenditure.
• The number of debt cases among tenants increased. In 2025 rent arrears in Poland exceeded PLN 1 billion, which represents an increase by 25% compared to 2024.

Is there a solution to the crisis?

Local authorities and the government are trying to alleviate the situation. The plans for 2025 include:

• Construction of social and municipal housing – The state budget for 2025 plans funds for the construction of around 15,000 municipal housing unitsTo aid the poorest families.
• Rent subsidies – The Start-up Accommodation Programme includes support even 500 PLN per month for renters.
• Rental regulations – Work is underway on a bill that would introduce limits on rent increases in the private rental sector.

Nevertheless, many experts point out that the key solution is to increase the number of housing on the market. Without this, rental prices will proceed to increase, deepening the housing crisis.