Rental and purchase of commercial properties

Yes – a natural person can rent a commercial premises both for personal purposes and for business activity. There is nothing to prevent a resident of Warsaw or another city from signing a lease agreement for a service or office premises. The lease agreement should be made in writing (e.g., for a fixed term with a notice period) and define the rent and obligations of the parties. It is worth remembering that the lease of a commercial premises is governed by the Civil Code – the tenant pays rent and utilities, and the owner is not required to apply special tenant protections that apply to residential leases. Popular phrases in Warsaw advertisements include, for example, “premises for rent” or “office for rent” addressed to private entrepreneurs.

The cost of renting a service premises is primarily calculated by multiplying the area of the premises by the rental rate per square meter. In addition, operating fees (administrative rent, utilities: electricity, water, heating) and VAT must be added – usually the owner issues a VAT invoice, allowing these expenses to be deducted as business costs. For example, if the premises is 50 m² and the net rental rate is 100 PLN/m², the monthly rent will be 5,000 PLN (plus VAT and utility charges). In the Warsaw market, rates vary depending on the district and building standard – in Śródmieście they may exceed 100 PLN/m², while on the outskirts they often range between 50–70 PLN/m². Additionally, a deposit is usually required (typically 2–3 times the monthly rent) as security for the owner. In summary, the total cost is: (rate per m² × area) + additional charges + VAT, as well as any costs of adapting the premises to the tenant’s needs.

A commercial premises is a broad term encompassing all non-residential spaces – offices, warehouses, storage units, garages, or parking spaces. It can be part of a building or an entire building designated for any business activity. A service premises is a narrower term – it refers to a premises prepared for customer services, such as shops, hair salons, medical offices, or food service establishments. Service premises must meet additional sanitary and technical requirements (ventilation, sanitary installations, communication routes). In practice, this means that a service premises is often already adapted to a specific type of activity (e.g., equipped with furniture or kitchen appliances), whereas a commercial premises may require additional adaptation and may have a lower rental rate.

When choosing a service premises in Warsaw, it is worth checking several key aspects:

Purpose of the premises and formalities: Make sure that the intended activity is consistent with the building’s purpose and the conditions of the local zoning plan. Some industries (gastronomy, medicine, etc.) require additional sanitary permits or licenses.

Technical condition: Evaluate the equipment and installations (electrical, water and sewage, ventilation). Renovations and adaptations are usually the tenant’s responsibility, so it is worth asking about the history of defects. Pay particular attention to sanitary conditions (especially in food service premises) and fire safety.

Location: Check accessibility, transport options and parking, as well as foot and car traffic. A central Warsaw location usually has more traffic and a higher price than a similar premises on the outskirts.

Lease terms: Analyze the lease agreement thoroughly – the lease period, termination conditions, and rent indexation are important. Pay attention to the base rent (net) and additional charges (for utilities or common areas). Check whether the rent is negotiable and whether the owner provides a net price (with VAT) – VAT can be deducted if you run a business and receive an invoice.

Additional costs and security: Find out about all additional fees (utilities, garbage collection, property tax). Determine the amount of the security deposit – it can be up to 12 times the rent, but most often it is 2–3 times. The agreement should clearly define the return conditions.

In summary, before signing the agreement, verify the legal status of the premises (e.g., land and mortgage register), the purpose of the lease, the technical requirements of your industry, and financial details (VAT, fees, deposit). Such a thorough analysis will help you avoid surprises and losses.

In real estate, we distinguish between residential premises (apartments, houses) and non-residential premises (commercial). The commercial offer is dominated by various types of commercial premises. Below are the main categories available in the Warsaw market:

Offices and retail-service premises – e.g., office for rent, medical offices, shops, hair/beauty salons, as well as production halls and warehouses.

Food service premises – restaurants, cafes, premises with full kitchen facilities (equipped with ventilation, sanitary installations).

Institutional and cultural premises – public utility facilities, such as schools, cinemas, gyms, shopping centers.

Short-term accommodation – hotels, hostels, apartments for short-term rent (e.g., daily or tourist rentals).

In practice, listings often include phrases such as “office for rent,” “food service premises for rent,” “service premises for rent,” and “commercial premises for sale,” reflecting these types of properties. The offer may also include specialized premises, e.g., medical or with industrial facilities – the choice depends on the tenant’s needs.