Agency fees — Powiatowy · Poland

Direct answer

In most EU countries the agent who works for the landlord cannot charge the tenant a finder's fee, registration fee or "administration costs"; where fees are still allowed they are capped and must be disclosed before you sign. A fee you should not have paid can be reclaimed, usually for years back. Powiatowy / Miejski Rzecznik Konsumentów (801 440 220) takes complaints about agents and can fine them; Nieodpłatna pomoc prawna (punkt w powiecie) (np.ms.gov.pl) helps you write the reclaim; E-sąd — elektroniczne postępowanie upominawcze (e-sad.gov.pl) decides if the agent refuses.

Call firstPowiatowy / Miejski Rzecznik Konsumentów

Report toNieodpłatna pomoc prawna (punkt w powiecie)

If that failsE-sąd — elektroniczne postępowanie upominawcze

🗣️ What to say

"On [date] I paid you [amount] as [fee name] for the tenancy of [address]. Under [rule] an agent acting for the landlord may not charge the tenant this fee. I ask for repayment within 14 days to [account]. Otherwise I will refer the matter to Powiatowy / Miejski Rzecznik Konsumentów."

🪜 Step by step

Identify who the agent worked forIf the landlord instructed the agent, the fee is the landlord's cost. The listing and the contract usually say.
Ask for the fee back in writingCite the rule, set a deadline. Many agents repay on the first letter.
Report to Powiatowy / Miejski Rzecznik KonsumentówRepeated fees are a practice; authorities fine agents and order refunds.
Dispute body: E-sąd — elektroniczne postępowanie upominawczeSmall amounts, no lawyer, and the decision binds a licensed agent.
Deposit and rent-in-advance capsWhile you are at it: deposits and advance rent are capped too, and "key money" is illegal everywhere.

📇 All contacts

Powiatowy / Miejski Rzecznik KonsumentówFree help, letters to the seller, helpline 801 440 220When the shop refuses📞 801 440 220 🔗 uokik.gov.pl/rzecznicy

Nieodpłatna pomoc prawna (punkt w powiecie)Free advice from a lawyerBefore you write, on deductions and deadlines🔗 np.ms.gov.pl

E-sąd — elektroniczne postępowanie upominawczeOnline payment order, no lawyer, low feeWhen the formal notice did not work🔗 www.e-sad.gov.pl

Sąd rejonowy — postępowanie uproszczonePayment claim up to PLN 20,000 on a formIf the landlord objects to the payment order🔗 www.gov.pl/web/sprawiedliwosc

❓ Frequently asked

The agent says the fee was for "viewing" or "checks"

Renaming the fee does not change who has to pay it. Any charge to the tenant for finding or arranging the tenancy falls under the ban.

I signed that I agreed to pay it

A clause that contradicts a mandatory law is void. You can still reclaim.

How far back can I claim?

Usually the general limitation period — three to five years in most countries. Nieodpłatna pomoc prawna (punkt w powiecie) knows the exact rule for Poland.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“letting agent fee illegal Poland”
“reclaim agency fee tenant”
“rental agency charges tenant fee allowed”
“report letting agent Poland”
“key money illegal”

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🚫 The letting agent charged me a fee — is that allowed, and who checks?