Deposit calculator: limit and return
Check whether the kaucja (deposit) is within the statutory limit, what it comes to after indexation to the current rent, how much is left after deductions and by when it must be returned.
Content reviewed: October 17, 2026
- Maximum deposit (12× the rent)
- PLN 30,000.00
- Your depositThat is 2× the monthly rent
- PLN 5,000.00
The deposit is within the statutory limit.
- Deposit after indexationPLN 400.00 more, because the rent went up.
- PLN 5,400.00
- Deductions
- PLN 0.00
- To be returned to the tenant
- PLN 5,400.00
The deposit must be returned within one month of the flat being vacated. Enter the date to see the deadline.
The calculator is for information only and does not replace legal advice. The result depends on the wording of your agreement.
How high the deposit can be
The Ustawa o ochronie praw lokatorów (Tenants' Rights Protection Act) allows a kaucja (deposit) to be taken to secure payment of amounts owed under the lease. For a standard residential lease it cannot exceed twelve times the monthly rent on the day the agreement was concluded.
For najem okazjonalny (occasional lease) and najem instytucjonalny (institutional lease) the limit is lower: the deposit can be at most six times the monthly rent.
- standard lease: up to 12× the rent,
- najem okazjonalny: up to 6× the rent,
- najem instytucjonalny: up to 6× the rent.
Indexation of the deposit
The deposit is returned in an amount adjusted to the current rent. We calculate it like this: deposit × (rent on the day of return ÷ rent on the day the deposit was set). The ratio of deposit to rent therefore stays the same as at the start of the lease.
The amount after indexation cannot be lower than the deposit paid. If the rent has fallen, you return as much as the tenant paid.
Whether indexation also applies to najem okazjonalny and najem instytucjonalny depends on the rules for those agreements and on the wording of the agreement. The calculator shows it for every type of agreement, but flags the doubt for these two.
Return deadline and deductions
The deposit must be returned within one month of the flat being vacated. The one-month period ends on the same day number in the following month, and if there is no such day (e.g. 31 January), on the last day of the month.
The landlord may deduct amounts owed under the lease from the deposit, for example:
- unpaid rent and unpaid utilities,
- the cost of repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear,
- other amounts owed under the agreement.
How to avoid a dispute over the deposit
Most disputes are about damage. Draw up a handover protocol (protokół zdawczo-odbiorczy) with photos when you receive and when you return the flat. Normal wear and tear, e.g. a slightly worn floor after several years, is not grounds for a deduction.
Examples
The limit for a standard lease
Rent of 2 500 zł: the maximum deposit is 30 000 zł. For najem okazjonalny – 15 000 zł. In practice the deposit is most often 1–2 months' rent.
Indexation after a rent increase
A deposit of 5 000 zł with rent of 2 500 zł, that is two months' rent. The rent rose to 2 700 zł, so the amount returned is 5 000 × 2 700 ÷ 2 500 = 5 400 zł.
A return with deductions
Deposit after indexation 5 400 zł, unpaid utilities 350 zł and a door repair of 600 zł. To be returned: 4 450 zł. The tenant moved out on 31 January, so the return deadline is 28 February (29 February in a leap year).
Useful tools and guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum deposit for a flat?
For a standard lease, up to 12 times the monthly rent on the day the agreement was concluded. For najem okazjonalny and najem instytucjonalny, up to 6 times.
How long does the landlord have to return the deposit?
One month from the flat being vacated. The period runs from the day the tenant handed over the flat, not from the end of the agreement.
Does the deposit have to be indexed?
For a standard lease, yes: the deposit is returned in an amount proportional to the current rent, but not lower than the amount paid.
What can the landlord deduct from the deposit?
Amounts owed under the lease: unpaid rent, unpaid utilities and the cost of repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear. It is worth documenting deductions with a protocol and photos.
Can the deposit be set against the last month's rent?
Only if both parties agree. Without an agreement, the tenant should pay the rent, and the deposit is settled after moving out.