Finding rent in Poland without speaking Polish?

I'm a European citizen who's actually Polish by birth (but I have no Polish citizenship and do not speak Polish). I speak my native language which nobody speaks, and I speak English.

How should I go about finding a place to rent in Poland?

I have no preference for location (although I gravitate towards the Northwestern parts, they are less like the Baltic countries and Russia), and one of the main things for me is that it would be cheap.

Where should I start? My main concern is that I do not speak Polish or Russian at all, and from what I know, few people speak English in Poland. Especially when we're talking signing a contract.

I think you need to decide exactly where you want to live first.
gumtree.pl lists property/rooms available for rent all over Poland which will give you a good idea about prices in different locations, but the website is in Polish, so you would need someone to be able to translate for you.

Here is the link, there is a drop down menu to change area.

gumtree.pl/s-mieszkania-i-domy-do-wynajecia/warszawa/v1c9008l3200008p1

Another alternative is airbnb.com although I'm not sure how long you can rent properties for, obviously up to the individual owner I suppose, but if you are lucky, you might find owners of properties who speak English.

Unless you can find someone Polish who you trust to go with you to view properties, I don't know what else to suggest, as going on your own with no knowledge of the language, you are almost certainly going to get ripped off, apart from the fact that you won't understand anything about the contract either.

English speaking agencies might be ok. If you find any, then post here for advice as there is a good chance that someone on the forum may know of specific agencies and whether they are trustworthy or not. Can't think of anything else I'm afraid, but good luck!!

@Chemikiem I honestly don't care where to live, as long as it's in a square going from say... Gdynia-Bydgoszcz-Wielkopolski. Preferably closer to the western and northern parts of that 'square'. So it's not really about deciding, it's just that I have no preference.

I will check out the site right now. I also do not know anybody who speaks Polish who I trust. I know one person but I do not want him anywhere near me.

Ok, here is a link to another site in English which has properties in Gdynia, Gdańsk, and Bydgoszcz amongst other cities, for rent.
Whether sites like these are a good idea, I don't know as you still may get ripped off, but I'm sure you can find other sites on the internet if you enter your city of choice.

Maybe someone else will come up with some other suggestions -rentflatpoland.com

@Chemikiem I actually found quite a few places that I like, but now I'm not so sure what to do, since I don't speak Polish. Do I write them? Call them? Go there and hope to get a place? I don't know.

How can you be Polish by birth and not speak Polish?

@Kezcaisim It's a long story.

A contract in a language one of the parties doesn't understand is useless to both of them. It will have to be interpreted by an official interpreter and that version signed and checked by a Notary.

Its easy to understand Polish real estate web sites but Google Chrome will translate it automatically.

AirNB maybe one way of looking for a English speaking landlord, my sister in law long term rents out a flat (Krakow) to people she met there.

Best use a trusted interpreter/confidant or bilingual friend to assist in even a seemingly straightforward transaction as renting a flat.

Poles can be a tricky bunch!

I can't make your decisions for you, but if it were me and the places you've found have phone numbers I would call them.

If they don't speak good English, then don't go any further with the particular rental.
Before I would even think about getting on a plane, I would want to know the answers to basic questions regarding rental.

1. What is included in the rent and how much is payable in advance? Water, heating, gas and electric? If you have a specific budget you are sticking to, you need to know of any added costs.

2. Czynsz is a monthly payment toward building maintenance and includes such things as rubbish removal, cleaning of communal areas, gas inspections etc. I think this payment can apply to tenants as well as owners, but I'm not 100% on this. Ask if this is included or extra.

3. Can your contract be renewed at the end of the term? If you like where you will be living, you won't want to have to find a new place maybe 6 months later.

4. How much is the deposit, and if for any reason you decide to move out before the end of the term, is it refundable in full or in part?

These are questions I've thought of off the top of my head, you will probably think of more.
If you get the answers to your questions, then it's up to you whether you decide to go and view a property.

Most apartments in Poland are furnished, so if you do go and see one, check that there is an inventory of everything in the apartment, and that nothing is broken, or further down the line you might find yourself being billed for any breakages, appliances not working etc.

Also check windows etc, old buildings may not have windows in the best of conditions, and you won't want to freeze to death in winter.

Lastly, Peterweg is right. I would not consider signing a contract in another language I don't understand, you will need to get it translated. Personally I wouldn't rely on Google Translate to give an accurate translation of something so important.

Good luck!!

Merged:

Property renting short term in Poland

not speaking or reading polish how do arrange renting a property? is a short term lease an option? if i want to register my address at the town hall what document should i ask the landlord for?

Thanks in advance

If you are trying to fool the system by trying to get maldunek then you are out of luck.Your adress will only be registered/valid for the period you have the lease for.

All you need is a simple umowa/lease agreement with the landlord and some geminas also ask for notariusz deed of the property and the id of landlord.