Selling a property is a serious undertaking that calls not only for a well-considered decision, but also for good organisation. Whether you are selling an apartment or a plot of land, it is worth making sure you have a complete set of documents so that the whole process runs smoothly and in line with current regulations.

Selling an apartment – which documents should you prepare?

The first step in selling an apartment is to gather the documents that confirm your ownership and make the transaction easier to complete:

  • Basis of acquisition – the akt notarialny (notarial deed) by which you acquired the apartment, or a deed of gift if you received the property as a gift.
  • Certificate from the urząd skarbowy (tax office) – confirming that gift tax has been settled or that an exemption applies (where relevant).
  • Certificate confirming no arrears in service charges – a document from the building manager confirming that there are no debts owed to the wspólnota mieszkaniowa (homeowners' association) or spółdzielnia (housing cooperative).
  • Certificate confirming no registered occupants – protects the buyer against potential problems arising from third parties being registered at the address (zameldowanie).
  • Księga wieczysta (land and mortgage register) number – essential for verifying the property's legal status.
  • Świadectwo charakterystyki energetycznej (energy performance certificate) – shows the apartment's energy consumption, which affects future running costs.

Selling an apartment with a mortgage – what do you need to consider?

If you are selling an apartment encumbered with a mortgage, you will need additional documents:

  • The bank's consent to early repayment of the loan – required to close the liability.
  • Promesa (bank's undertaking) to remove the mortgage from the księga wieczysta – a document confirming that the mortgage will be deleted once the loan has been repaid.

Selling a plot of land – documents required for the transaction

If you are selling land, prepare the following documents:

  • Notarial deed of acquisition of the plot – confirming your ownership, or a deed of gift (if the plot was a gift).
  • Księga wieczysta number – enabling the plot's legal status to be checked.
  • Wypis i wyrys z ewidencji gruntów (extract and map from the land register) – surveying documents required when selling a plot.
  • Extract from the miejscowy plan zagospodarowania przestrzennego (local zoning plan) – or a decyzja o warunkach zabudowy (planning permission decision) if no local plan exists.
  • Certificate regarding revitalisation and forests – if the plot is located in an area subject to such regulations.
  • Certificate from the tax office – required if the plot was inherited or received as a gift.
  • Documents relating to the internal road – if the plot includes a share in a private road, you may need to document access to a public road.