How to Find an Apartment in Poland Without an Agent

Finding a good apartment in Poland without an agent is entirely possible. The challenge is not that the best homes are hidden in a private database. They appear on the same platforms everyone uses, mainly OLX and Otodom. The real challenge is speed: a well-priced apartment offered directly by its owner may fill all its viewing slots within the first hour, and the listing can disappear later that same day.

This guide was prepared by the Monitor Ofert team. We built a service that automatically checks your saved searches on OLX and Otodom and sends new listings to Telegram. Below, we explain how to look for an apartment on your own and avoid an agency commission.

Where agents find apartments for their clients

Agencies may have their own contacts and properties from returning clients. However, there is no single secret database containing every privately offered apartment. Agents and individual renters see the same main rental market: OLX and Otodom.

A good agent's advantage often comes not from access to a special website, but from an organised process: accurate filters, constant monitoring and a quick call to the owner.

Why you may be shown old or unappealing options

• The search is checked infrequently. An agent visits the portals once or twice a day. By then, the best new apartments have already received plenty of enquiries, leaving older listings or properties with obvious drawbacks.
• The search is automated. Each client has a separate filter based on location, budget, number of rooms and other requirements. As soon as a matching property appears, the agent receives a notification and can arrange a viewing.

Professionals use our Monitor Ofert service too: one agent can run separate searches for several clients without refreshing pages all day. The same tool is available to you, so speed no longer has to be an agent-only advantage.

How to find an apartment in Poland without an agent: 7 steps

1. List your requirements and acceptable compromises

Separate must-haves from preferences: your maximum total cost, location, commute, number of rooms, pet policy, parking or a balcony. Decide in advance which points you are willing to compromise on.

2. Calculate the full monthly cost

The price in the listing title is not always the final amount. On top of the rent, you may need to pay an administrative fee, electricity, water, heating, internet and parking. Ask the owner for the total monthly cost, the deposit amount and the conditions for its return. Also confirm that there is no agency commission.

3. Set up precise searches on both OLX and Otodom

Use the same criteria on both platforms: city or district, property type, budget, floor area and number of rooms. This matters because listings are often not duplicated between OLX and Otodom. On OLX, you can also filter for private listings. Polish phrases such as bezpośrednio, od właściciela and bez prowizji can help you find homes offered without an agent.

Avoid making a single search too narrow. Separate searches for several districts or size ranges usually work better.

4. Turn on automatic monitoring

We created Monitor Ofert so you do not have to spend hours refreshing listing pages. Open both configured searches in a web browser, not in the OLX or Otodom mobile apps, copy each link from the address bar and send them to our bot. The bot runs in the Telegram app: every new listing arrives as a Telegram notification with a photo, price and direct link.

5. Prepare a short message in Polish

Calling immediately is usually your best option because it gives you the fastest chance of arranging a viewing. If you prefer to write, introduce yourself briefly, mention how many people will live in the apartment and suggest a specific time. In an OLX or Otodom chat, the owner can already see which listing you are asking about, so there is no need to repeat the address or send a separate “Is this still available?” message.

If you have a pet, mention it straight away and describe it briefly in the best possible light 😉.

If the owner does not answer, try calling again a little later.

6. Check the listing before the viewing

• Compare the address, photos, size and price with similar listings in the area.
• Confirm whether you are dealing with the owner or an authorised representative.
• Before transferring any money, ask for a full list of charges, a draft contract and copies of recent bills from the previous few months.
• Do not pay a deposit solely in exchange for a promise to “hold” the apartment if you have not seen it or verified who has the right to rent it out.

7. Look beyond the decor during the viewing

Turn on the taps and check the water pressure, windows, heating, appliances and mobile reception. Ask about neighbours, pets, the length of the contract and early termination terms. Record the condition of the apartment and its contents in the handover report.

How to find a genuinely special apartment

Occasionally, an owner rents out a home that was furnished for personal use, with quality appliances, a thoughtful renovation and none of the cheapest “rental-only” furniture. Well-priced apartments like this are rare. Monitor Ofert cannot guarantee that your perfect home will appear, but our monitoring helps you see it early, while viewing appointments are still available.

How much Monitor Ofert costs

New Monitor Ofert users receive a 10-day free trial with no payment card required. After the trial, you can choose a plan directly in the Telegram bot, starting from 50 PLN per month. You can cancel your subscription at any time in the bot or through the Stripe customer portal.

To get started, open OLX and Otodom in a web browser, configure your searches, copy the links from the address bars and send them to our Telegram bot. Do not copy links from the OLX or Otodom mobile apps. If you have any questions, contact us and we will help.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent an apartment in Poland without an agent?

Yes. Look for listings marked oferta prywatna, bezpośrednio or od właściciela, contact the advertiser quickly and review the contract carefully.

Where can I find apartments offered directly by owners?

OLX and Otodom carry most current listings. Both platforms include private and agency offers, so use the available filters and check who posted each property.

Why do good apartments disappear so quickly?

Many people respond at once when an apartment combines a good price, location and standard. The owner may receive enough viewing requests within the first few hours and temporarily remove the listing.

Lite includes 3 searches for 50 PLN per month, Standard 10 for 100 PLN, and Pro 20 for 200 PLN.