Rent indexation by the GUS index — when and by how much you can legally raise the rent

What is rent indexation?

Indexation is the annual adjustment of rent to inflation — usually by the consumer price index (CPI) published by Poland's Central Statistical Office (GUS). The logic is simple: PLN 2,000 of rent from three years ago is worth noticeably less today. Indexation preserves the real value of your income instead of letting it silently melt away.

It is not an arbitrary hike. Indexation is based on an objective, public index — which is exactly why tenants usually accept it without friction, as long as it was written into the contract.

Condition #1: an indexation clause in the contract

Without the right clause you cannot index the rent automatically. A good indexation clause should specify:

• The basis — e.g. "the consumer price index published by GUS for the previous year".
• The frequency — usually once a year, in a specific month (e.g. from 1 February, after GUS releases the annual figure).
• The mechanism — whether indexation happens automatically or after written notice to the tenant.

Sample wording: "The rent shall be indexed annually by the consumer price index published by GUS for the previous year. The new rate applies from 1 February."

How large is the GUS index in practice?

The annual CPI can swing widely — from double digits in high-inflation years to 2–4% in calmer periods. GUS usually publishes it in mid-January (data for the previous year). Example: with rent of PLN 2,500 and a 6% index, indexation adds PLN 150 a month — PLN 1,800 more per year, with no negotiation at all.

Note: residential leases get extra protection

For a standard residential lease, the Tenant Protection Act imposes rules on raising rent even when an indexation clause exists:

• A change to the rent amount must be given in written notice — otherwise it is invalid.
• The notice period for a rent change is generally three months (to the end of a calendar month), unless the contract sets a longer one.
• Increases cannot be made more often than every six months.
• If, after the increase, the annual rent exceeds 3% of the property's replacement value, on the tenant's request you must provide the reason and calculation in writing within 14 days.

In practice: for a flat it is safer to treat indexation like an increase and keep the written form and notice period — even if the clause mentions an "automatic" mechanism.

Occasional and institutional leases — more freedom

In occasional and institutional leases, several restrictions of the Tenant Protection Act do not apply. Here, the rules for increases and indexation follow primarily from the contract, so a well-drafted indexation clause works much more smoothly. All the more reason to make the wording precise.

How to do it without mistakes

1. Check whether the contract has an indexation clause — if not, add one at the next annex or new contract.
2. Wait for the official annual GUS index (published in January).
3. Calculate the new rate and prepare a written notice with the legal basis and the index.
4. Respect the deadline (for flats — usually a three-month notice period).
5. Update the rate in your records so the next statements are calculated at the new amount.

Indexation in one click with SmartRentier

In SmartRentier you can set automatic indexation per property: the rent is indexed by the previous year's GUS CPI, and the system shows ready-made rent indexation proposals — the current and the new rate side by side. No need to remember deadlines or recalculate manually: you approve the increase and the next statements already use the updated amount.

Start for free — the Kawalerka plan is free forever, no card required. If indexation recovers even one "inflation-eaten" year of rent, a paid plan pays for itself many times over.

This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. If in doubt about a specific contract, consult a lawyer.