Deposit Return Calculator
Estimate how much of your rental deposit you will get back when moving out, based on apartment condition and Polish rental law.
How to Get Your Rental Deposit (Kaucja) Back in Poland
Getting your kaucja (security deposit) back is one of the most common concerns for tenants leaving a rental apartment in Poland. Landlords are legally required to return the deposit within 30 days of move-out, minus legitimate deductions for damage beyond normal wear, unpaid utilities, or cleaning costs. Yet many tenants — especially foreigners unfamiliar with Polish rental law — lose part or all of their deposit due to poor documentation or misunderstandings about what constitutes fair deductions.
Our deposit return calculator estimates how much of your kaucja you can expect to recover based on the apartment condition, length of tenancy, outstanding bills, and whether you have a signed move-in protocol (protokol zdawczo-odbiorczy). The protocol is your strongest defense: it documents the apartment's condition at the start of your lease with photos and descriptions, making it easy to prove what was pre-existing damage versus tenant-caused.
Polish law distinguishes between 'normal wear and tear' (zuzycie naturalne) and actual damage. Minor scuffs on walls, faded paint, and worn flooring from regular use are the landlord's responsibility, not yours. However, holes in walls, broken appliances, or stained carpets from negligence can be deducted. Understanding these distinctions before your move-out inspection gives you confidence to negotiate fairly.
- Always insist on a detailed protokol zdawczo-odbiorczy with timestamped photos at both move-in and move-out.
- Request a written itemized list of any proposed deductions — landlords cannot make vague or unspecified claims.
- Clean the apartment thoroughly before the final inspection — professional cleaning costs 200-400 PLN and often pays for itself in deposit recovery.
- If the landlord does not return your deposit within 30 days, send a formal written demand (wezwanie do zaplaty) via registered mail.
- Keep copies of all utility bills and payment confirmations to prove you have no outstanding debts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about deposit return calculator
Under Polish law, the landlord must return your deposit within 30 days of you moving out, minus any legitimate deductions. If they fail to return it, you can send a formal written demand and pursue the matter through consumer protection or small claims court.