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A proposed overhaul of Poland’s tenant protection laws aims to strengthen property rights and curb perceived abuses by renters, according to a bill introduced in Parliament.
On February 27, 2026, a group of lawmakers from the Konfederacja party submitted a bill to the Sejm, Poland’s lower house of Parliament, seeking to amend the Act on the Protection of Tenants’ Rights, the Municipal Housing Resources Act, and the Civil Code. The proposal, identified as RPW/7192/2026 in the legislative registry, intends to “improve the protection of ownership rights to residential premises, limit the abuse of rights by tenants, and facilitate the termination of lease agreements” in cases of late payment or other violations. The legislation reflects a growing debate over the balance between tenant protections and the rights of property owners in Poland.
According to the bill’s description, the changes are intended to address what lawmakers observe as a problem of dishonest tenants exploiting the system. Though, critics suggest the changes could disproportionately impact ordinary renters facing financial hardship or unexpected circumstances.
One key provision of the proposed law addresses the issue of legal notification. Currently, Polish law considers a letter delivered even if the recipient doesn’t actually receive it, provided it was sent to the last known address with confirmation of mailing. The bill would extend this “deemed delivery” rule to include court documents and notices from debt collectors, even after a lease has expired. This change aims to prevent tenants from avoiding legal proceedings by refusing to accept mail.
The Konfederacja party also wants to allow landlords to terminate leases with six months’ notice if they or close family members intend to occupy the property. The bill would also streamline the process of referring evicted tenants to shelters or social housing within the same voivodeship (province), relieve landlords of the obligation to pay utilities after a lease ends, and shorten the notice period for non-payment of rent to as little as one month.
Ending the Practice of Avoiding Mail Delivery
Currently, Article 6g of the Act on the Protection of Tenants’ Rights requires both parties to a lease to inform each other in writing of any change of address during the tenancy. If this obligation is not met, any correspondence sent to the last known address by registered mail is considered delivered, even if not received. The proposed changes would extend this rule to the period after the lease has ended, before the property is returned to the landlord, and include notices from courts and debt collectors. The goal is to “prevent dishonest tenants from using tactics to obstruct legal and enforcement proceedings by avoiding the receipt of correspondence,” and to clarify the application of the deemed delivery rule.
Ending the Requirement for Replacement Housing
The bill also seeks to eliminate the current requirement for landlords to provide replacement housing or wait three years before regaining possession of their property if they wish to live there themselves or house close family members. Currently, landlords can only terminate a lease for this reason if the tenant has another place to live or if the landlord provides a suitable replacement property. The proposed changes would remove these conditions, allowing landlords to regain possession of their property more quickly.
Ending the Obligation to Pay Bills for Unlawful Occupants
Another proposed change would protect landlords from being held responsible for utility bills when a tenant is unlawfully occupying a property. The bill proposes adding a clause to the Penal Code stating that a landlord does not commit a crime by stopping payment for utilities to individuals without a legal right to occupy the premises. This aims to address situations where tenants remain in a property after a lease has ended and refuse to pay bills.
Faster Eviction for Non-Payment
The proposed legislation would also accelerate the eviction process for non-payment of rent, reducing the required notice period from three months to one. Currently, landlords must wait at least three full payment periods after notifying a tenant of their intention to terminate the lease. The bill would shorten this to one period, giving landlords more immediate recourse in cases of rent arrears.
Landlords Would Be Allowed to Enter Their Property
The bill would also clarify that a landlord or their authorized representative would not be committing a crime by entering a property occupied by someone without a legal right to be there. This change aims to address situations where landlords are hesitant to enter their own property for fear of being accused of violating someone’s privacy.
Streamlined Eviction Process
The proposed changes would also streamline the eviction process by allowing court bailiffs to refer evicted tenants to shelters or social housing located anywhere within the same province, rather than being limited to the municipality where the property is located. This is intended to expedite the process and ensure that evicted tenants have access to accommodation.
When Will the Changes Take Effect?
The proposed changes are intended to rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants, reduce abuses by dishonest renters, simplify eviction procedures, strengthen property rights, and increase the security of rental housing. According to the bill, the fresh regulations would take effect 30 days after its publication in the Journal of Laws. The bill is currently undergoing review by parliamentary committees and is open for public consultation until April 1, 2026, with feedback being accepted through a survey available here. The legislation still faces further debate in the Senate and requires presidential approval before becoming law.
Legal basis:
- Act of June 21, 2001, on the Protection of Tenants’ Rights, Municipal Housing Resources, and Amending the Civil Code (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 725)
- Act of June 6, 1997, Penal Code (Journal of Laws of 2025, item 383, as amended)
- Act of November 17, 1964, Code of Civil Procedure (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1568, as amended)
- Parliamentary bill amending the Act on the Protection of Tenants’ Rights, the Municipal Housing Resources Act, and the Civil Code, and certain other acts (registration number RPW/7192/2026)
