Building Law Changes 2026 — Impact on Landlords

Building Law Changes 2026 — Impact on Landlords

The year 2026 has brought significant changes to Polish building law that directly affect rental property owners. The amendments cover technical building requirements, administrative procedures, energy efficiency obligations, and rules governing renovations and modernisation. In this article, we discuss the most important changes and explain what they mean in practice for landlords.

New Energy Efficiency Requirements for Buildings

One of the most significant changes in the 2026 building law is the tightening of energy efficiency requirements for buildings. The new regulations, resulting from the implementation of the EU EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive), introduce stricter standards for existing buildings, not just newly constructed ones.

Key changes in this area include:

• Mandatory energy performance certificates for each tenant change — from 2026, the landlord is required to present a current energy performance certificate to every new tenant before signing the lease agreement. The certificate must be no more than 10 years old.
• Minimum energy standards for rental buildings — a requirement has been introduced for rental buildings to meet a minimum energy standard. Buildings with the worst energy ratings (G and H) must be modernised by the end of 2030.
• Expanded scope of energy audits — for multi-family buildings with more than 10 units, owners or housing associations must conduct an energy audit and develop an energy improvement plan.

For landlords, this means ensuring energy certificates are up to date and potentially investing in thermal modernisation. It is worth planning the appropriate actions now to avoid accumulating costs in the future.

Changes in Renovation and Modernisation Procedures

The amended building law introduces simplified procedures for building renovations and modernisation, which is good news for rental property owners planning adaptation work.

• Expanded scope of works not requiring a building permit — more types of renovation and modernisation work can now be carried out based on a notification, without the need for a full building permit. This includes window replacement, internal wall insulation, and modernisation of sanitary and electrical installations within existing premises.
• Digitalisation of building procedures — the option to submit applications and notifications electronically has been expanded. The new e-Construction system enables most procedures to be completed online, significantly reducing waiting times for administrative decisions.
• Simplified change of use procedure — the procedure for changing premises from residential to commercial use and vice versa has been streamlined, which is relevant for landlords considering different rental models.

New Requirements for Technical Inspections

The 2026 building law also introduces changes regarding mandatory technical building inspections. The most important modifications include:

• Electronic building logbook — from 2026, it is mandatory to maintain the building logbook in electronic form using the c-KOB (Digital Building Logbook) system. This applies to multi-family buildings and is the responsibility of the building manager or housing association.
• Expanded installation inspection requirements — in addition to existing gas and chimney inspections, regular inspection of mechanical ventilation systems (every 5 years) and air conditioning systems (every 3 years if capacity exceeds 12 kW) is now mandatory.
• Increased penalties for missing inspections — fines for failing to carry out mandatory technical inspections have been raised. Penalties can reach PLN 10,000 per violation.

Maintaining records of inspections and their deadlines is becoming increasingly important. Property management tools like the Brokik platform help track inspection dates and archive technical documentation, which is invaluable in the context of the new regulations.

Fire Safety — New Requirements

The amended regulations also introduce changes to fire safety requirements affecting multi-family building owners and rental property landlords:

• Mandatory smoke and carbon monoxide detectors — from 2026, every residential rental unit must be equipped with a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector (for buildings with gas installations). This obligation applies to both new and continuing leases.
• Evacuation route signage — stricter requirements have been introduced for evacuation route signage in multi-family buildings with more than 6 units.
• Finishing materials — restrictions have been introduced on the use of flammable materials for finishing staircases and corridors in multi-family buildings.

For individual landlords, the most important requirement is ensuring smoke and CO detectors in every rented unit. The cost is relatively low (PLN 50–200 for a set), and meeting this obligation not only protects against penalties but above all increases tenant safety.

Building Accessibility for People with Disabilities

The 2026 building law also expands requirements for building accessibility for people with disabilities. While most changes concern newly constructed buildings and public facilities, there are some implications for the rental market:

• Disclosure requirement — owners of multi-family rental buildings must inform potential tenants about the building's accessibility for people with limited mobility.
• Simplified modernisation procedures — procedures for obtaining permits for modernisations that increase building accessibility (lift installation, ramps, removal of architectural barriers) have been simplified.
• Accessibility grants — new subsidy programmes have been introduced for modernisation works that increase residential building accessibility, which rental property owners can also use.

Impact of Changes on Landlord Costs

The new building regulations involve certain costs for rental property owners. It is worth analysing these and planning the budget accordingly:

• Energy certificates — the cost of preparing a certificate is approximately PLN 300–800, depending on the size of the premises. The document is valid for 10 years.
• Smoke and CO detectors — a one-off expense of PLN 50–200 per unit, plus battery replacement costs every 1–2 years.
• Additional inspections — a ventilation system inspection costs approximately PLN 200–500.
• Thermal modernisation — potentially the highest cost, but spread over time until 2030. Subsidy programmes such as "Clean Air" and "Stop Smog" are available.

It is worth noting that many of these expenses can be deducted from rental income, reducing the tax burden. Systematic cost documentation — for example via the Brokik platform — facilitates tax settlements and financial planning.

How to Prepare for the Changes

To adapt smoothly to the new regulations, landlords should take the following steps:

• Audit your property — check which requirements your property already meets and which need action. Start by checking the validity of the energy certificate and the condition of smoke/CO detectors.
• Update documentation — ensure you have current technical inspection reports and that they are available in electronic form.
• Update lease agreements — new regulations may require changes to lease terms, particularly regarding obligations for safety detector maintenance and installation usage rules.
• Plan a modernisation budget — if your property requires thermal modernisation or other investments, start planning the budget now. Check available subsidy programmes.
• Consult a specialist — if you have doubts about interpreting the new regulations, consult a lawyer or building surveyor.

Opportunities Arising from the New Regulations

While the new building regulations introduce additional obligations, they also present certain opportunities for landlords:

• Increased property value — investments in energy efficiency and safety raise the market value of the property.
• Lower operating costs — thermal modernisation translates into lower heating bills, benefiting both landlord and tenant.
• Greater listing appeal — apartments meeting new safety and energy efficiency standards are more attractive on the rental market.
• Access to funding — new financial support programmes make property modernisation easier.
• Simplified procedures — easier renovation processes and digitalised administrative procedures save time and money.

The Role of Technology in Adapting to New Regulations

The new building regulations increase the amount of documentation and administrative obligations landlords must handle. In this context, digital tools become essential. The Brokik platform helps rental property owners manage technical documentation, track mandatory inspection dates, archive energy certificates and reports, and maintain records of modernisation costs.

Using a rental management platform not only helps meet new legal requirements but also professionalises the entire property management process. In an era of increasing regulation, a professional approach to documentation and management is becoming the market standard.

Summary

The 2026 building law changes require landlords to pay greater attention to energy efficiency, fire safety, and technical property documentation. While they involve additional obligations and costs, they also simplify renovation procedures and open access to new subsidy programmes. The key to smooth adaptation is systematic planning, professional documentation management, and the use of digital tools like Brokik that help keep obligations and deadlines in order. Landlords who treat the new regulations as an opportunity to modernise their properties stand to gain a competitive advantage in the rental market.