Polish cities Gniezno and Łódź see record demand for renovation‑rental housing

The city of Gniezno held its 16th "Mieszkanie za remont" tender, leasing a total of 48 apartments to 19 households. A record rent bid of 46 zł per square metre was achieved for a flat on Budowlanych Street, with strong interest for properties on Staszica and Ludwiczaka Streets. The programme aims to reduce vacant municipal flats by requiring tenants to renovate the units themselves.

In Łódź, a new edition of the same scheme offered 30 apartments. About 2,000 people attended the open‑house event, creating an average of more than 66 applicants per flat. The city hopes the programme will provide low‑cost, long‑term rentals for residents who cannot obtain market‑rate housing, while critics note simultaneous sales of municipal flats.

Both municipalities report that the high turnout underscores a pressing demand for affordable housing and willingness of residents to invest labour and resources into renovating city‑owned apartments.