Hints & Advice

Documents you need to sell your property.

In order to conclude a transaction we are obliged to check the legal status of your property. For this we will require documents listed below. You should already possess some of them, and the rest you ought to prepare for the transaction. In case you have problems, we will help you collect all of them.

If you are selling a cooperative residential flat, i.e. belonging to a housing cooperative (with a cooperative ownership right to the flat)

  1. a proof of acquisition – a notarial deed of sale or gift, or a housing cooperative decision about the assignment of the flat, or a certificate of membership of the cooperative, or a confirmation that an occupancy right has been transformed into a cooperative ownership right to the flat;
  2. a valid certificate granted by a housing cooperative to confirm that you still have a right to the flat and the flat is free of debts;
  3. if the flat has been registered in a Land and Mortgage Register, you will need a valid excerpt from the Register;
  4. if the flat has been inherited – a certificate of inheritance and a document to confirm that the inheritance tax has been paid;
  5. a certificate to confirm that no other persons are registered in the flat;
  6. valid books of payments, utility charges, etc.

If you are selling a mortgage property (registered in a Land and Mortgage Register with a share in a parcel of land)

  1. a proof of acquisition - a notarial deed of sale or gift;
  2. a valid excerpt from a Land and Mortgage Register;
  3. a valid certificate granted by a building administrator to confirm that the flat is free of debts (we also suggest a written information about contributions to the refurbishment fund and a plan of refurbishments);
  4. if the flat has been inherited – a certificate of inheritance and a document to confirm that the inheritance tax has been paid;
  5. a certificate to confirm that no other persons are registered in the flat;
  6. valid books of payments, utility charges, etc.

If you are selling a house or a (building) plot:

  1. a proof of acquisition - a notarial deed of sale or gift;
  2. a valid excerpt from a Land and Mortgage Register;
  3. a valid excerpt from a Land Register;
  4. a valid information about the purpose of the plot included in a local spatial development plan;
  5. a cadastral map or a master map of the plot;
  6. if the property has been inherited – a certificate of inheritance and a document to confirm that the inheritance tax has been paid;
  7. decision about the rate of the property tax;
  8. in case you own a perpetual usufruct right to the plot, a relevant agreement will be necessary, together with a decision about the rate of annual charge;
  9. a certificate to confirm that no other persons are registered in the house.

Note: If you are selling a building shell, a construction that just have been started, or a house undergoing reconstruction or extensive renovation, you should also prepare a valid building permission and a building diary.
Note: You should always be able to show the boundaries of your plot, particularly if the plot has not been fenced. In case you have any problems, we will help you find a geodetic surveyor and define the boundaries once again.

Personal data required to conclude a transaction.

In order to conclude a transaction you will have to provide the following personal data for your identification:

  1. full name
  2. parents' full names
  3. marital status
  4. home address
  5. date of birth
  6. PESEL – personal identification number
  7. NIP – taxpayer identification number

In case of companies, corporations and other legal persons necessary are:

  1. entry in the Register of Business Activity or KRS (National Court Registry)
  2. REGON – the National Official Register of Business Entities number
  3. NIP – taxpayer identification number
  4. deed of the company foundation
  5. resolution on the sale/purchase of a property
Would like to sell or rent a property. What should I do?

  • you may submit your offer personally, by phone, by post, by fax, by WWW or by e-mail;
  • we will contact you immediately, ask for detailed information regarding the submitted property, and make an appointment for a personal inspection of the property;
  • during the inspection we will make a description of the property, but also get acquainted with its legal status, so we will ask for any relevant documents you have,
  • together we will determine the sale price of the property (or the rate of rent), and the possibilities and limits of negotiation;
  • we will provide you with hints and advice on how to prepare a property for sale;
  • we will sign an agency agreement (you may read through the contents of the agreements on our website*). Under the terms of the Real Estate Management Act which regulates the activities of estate agencies in Poland, an agent is not allowed to offer a submitted property on an estate market without a written agency agreement. The agency agreement may be signed by an owner of the property or by his or her authorized representative (in such case a proof of authorisation will be required). In order to sign the agreement you will need a valid ID with a photograph (an identity card, a passport, a driving licence). In accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act your personal data are subject to legal protection;
  • after completing the above steps we will launch marketing activities to promote your property on the market. These will include placing an offer on our website, on specialist websites such as gratka.pl, trader.pl or krn.pl and in local periodicals. We will also inform about the property other co-operating estate agencies and the customers who were interested in properties of this kind. If you sign an exclusive sale agreement, we will additionaly mark your property with a special advertising banner or board, and also organize a presentation in an „open door” system;
  • we will present the property to all interested customers of our own and other co-operating agencies. All customers will have to sign an agency agreement, and during a presentation they will be accompanied by an agency representative, so you do not have to be afraid of unexpected visits of strangers;
  • at your request we will participate in a negotiation process regarding the price and other conditions of the agreement;
  • after having found a customer to purchase or rent your property, we will sign a protocol of agreements (a document containing the most important decisions regarding the transaction) or prepare a preliminary agreement;
  • in case a preliminary agreement has been signed and you have received a prepayment from a buyer, we will ask for an advance payment being the part of the agency commission. The rate of the advance payment will be established in the agreement;
  • we will help you collect all the documents that are necessary for the execution of the sale agreement or the actual rental agreement;
  • we will make an appointment with a notary and be present at the signing of a notary deed or a lease agreement, at the payment process and the transfer of the property;
  • at the signing of the notary deed or a lease agreement we will ask you to pay the agency commission reduced by the amount of advance payment. For the agency services you will receive a VAT invoice.
I am looking for a property to buy. What should I do first?

  • you should find an estate agent, whose task is to search for a property that will meet your demands. Be as precise as you can to describe a property you are looking for;
  • it is particularly recommended that you use the services of a professional agent, if you are not acquainted with a local estate market. An estate agent who knows exactly what you require and demand, will represent you and perform the search in an active way;
  • try to evaluate your current financial capacity. Consider how much money you have (in cash, in bank accounts, in shares, in investment funds), include the value of properties you already possess, the sale of which might help you finance the planned investment;
  • determine your debt carrying capacity which depends not only on your income, but also on the type and place of your employment, sources of income, your age and several other factors. An estate agent will contact you with mortgage advisors and banks representatives who will be able to suggest the most suitable option;
I would like to buy a house or a flat. In what ways an estate agent will help me?

  • you may submit your demand personally, by phone, by post, by fax, or by e-mail;
  • we will contact you immediately and ask for detailed information about your preferences regarding the property you are looking for. Then we will enter a record into a database of customers' demands, and contact other estate agencies in search for any offer that will meet your requirements;
  • if your demands are not specified, because (for example) you do not know the area, we will give you advice on what and where to buy or rent to your advantage;
  • we will sign an agency agreement (you may read through the contents of agreements on our website*). Under the terms of the Real Estate Management Act which regulates the activities of estate agencies in Poland, an agent is not allowed to represent a customer without a written agency agreement. The agency agreement may be signed by a person who wants to buy a property or by his or her authorized representative (in such case a proof of authorisation will be required). In order to sign the agreement you will need a valid ID with a photograph (an identity card, a passport, a driving licence). In accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act your personal data are subject to legal protection;
  • we will inform you about offers which may meet your requirements (the address of a submitted property will be given according to an address indication – a document to confirm the receiving of the address);
  • in the most convenient time for you we will organize a personal inspection of a property and provide you with extensive information about it;
  • at your request we will participate in a negotiation process regarding the price and other conditions of the agreement;
  • we will contact you with mortgage advisors, who will help you choose the best possible way to finance the planned transaction,
  • we will sign a protocol of agreements (a document containing the most important decisions regarding the transaction) or prepare a preliminary agreement;
  • if you make an advance payment being the part of the agency commission, the amount of which has been established in the agreement, the chosen property will be reserved for you, i.e. removed from the agency database;
  • we will help you collect all the documents that are necessary for the execution of the sale agreement or the actual rental agreement;
  • we will make an appointment with a notary and be present at the signing of a notary deed or a lease agreement, at the payment process and the transfer of the property;
  • at the signing of the notary deed or a lease agreement we will ask you to pay the agency commission reduced by the amount of advance payment. For the agency services you will receive a VAT invoice.

How to sell a property quickly and profitably?

A decision to sell a property is actually a decision to place a property on the market. In order to do that, the property has to be transformed from a place of residence into a saleable product, which means fitting specific requirements regarding location, price, legal status, functionality and practical use.
Although we are not able to change neither location, nor surroundings, we can have an influence on the rest of the factors – regulate the legal status, establish the most suitable sale price and look at your property from a buyer's point of view (consider what he or she expects or worries about, and why he or she may be discouraged from buying it).
Sometimes even a relatively small amount of effort or imagination can result in significant effects, and may help bring forward the sale process or obtain a higher sale price. Your agent should offer you hints and advice on better understanding a buyer's perspective, and also help you preserve a distance from your property, or overcome negative thinking patterns you might have. These patterns are quite natural: if you have lived in a house or a flat for several, or more years, you do not notice certain features and ignore or underestimate others.
A buyer does not buy someone's habits, tastes or fond memories. You cannot expect they would appreciate old tiles you purchased 20 years ago with ration coupons, or handmade wood panels from the 70s.
Treat customers as your guests, do not make them feel like intruders, suggest something to drink and be willing to talk, even if their questions are suprisingly detailed. Refrain from commenting on impolite remarks customers could make while visiting your property – leave it to an agent, trust his or her trade experience and negotiation skills.

A few tips to bear in mind:

  1. Entrance – take into account the first impression someone might have when they enter a property for the first time. Tidy up the entrance to the property or to the building: clear the ground of snow, mow the grass, sweep the pavements, remove tree branches or bushes that may obstruct access to the entrance, clean, polish or freshen the main door. Bring visitors in through the front door, not the back door or a side entrance. Show them the house as though you were showing a tourist group around a museum, choosing the best possible route and deepening the impressions. Remember – abundant greenery and blooming flowers in beds or pots are always encouraging.
  2. Kitchen – you may believe it or not, but it is very often a kitchen, that „sells” a house. The kitchen should be spacious, airy, clean and fresh smelling. Of course, you cannot rebuild it before selling a property, but you can clean it carefully: tidy up drawers, kitchen sideboards and tops of cabinets, hide rarely used utensils or appliances and wash the dishes. Nothing can be more discouraging than a kitchen in a mess or in a state of chaos.
  3. Order – dispose of all the things you no longer need or want. Separate unnecessary furnishings or everyday articles (you will have to throw them away when you move). Empty and clean utility rooms, cellars, sheds, attics, larders, garages, terraces and balconies.
  4. Cleanness – carefully tidy up and air the rooms, clean the windows, get air-fresheners, remove dog's droppings from the grass and litter of birds from terraces and balconies. If you keep pets, clean their cages, trays and boxes to eliminate unpleasant smells. Air carefully all the flat or the house and use air-fresheners, although you should not use too many incenses or too strong smells, as this may irritate your guests or give them a headache.
  5. Lighting – if you are showing a property in the daylight, you should open the curtains, and roll up or pull up the blinds. If the visit takes place in the evening, turn on the lights, both inside and outside the house – your house must look bright and cosy. If you have a fireplace, use the occasion to show it off to your guests.
  6. Repairs and renovations – if you are planning major repairs or renovations before selling a property, avoid excessive individualism in interior design. Light colours and pastel hues make the interior look larger and more spacious. Steer clear of dark colours, patterned wallpapers and motley floorings. If possible, remove old wallpapers, carpets, wardrobes, cabinets and bookcases – all of these make a room look smaller. Follow the following rule: get rid of unnecessary things, and clean/freshen/repair or replace the rest.
  7. Bathrooms – very carefully clean the toilets and fittings, repair tile groutings, replace old wallpapers, cover old tiles with a mat, display clean nice-looking towels and bathroom accesories. You must always remember to remove personal things, especially sanitary articles, underwear and dirty clothing – visitors are particularly embarrassed to see them. If bathroom utensils are damaged and a flat or a house is already empty, consider removing an old rusty bath or a broken washbasin. Remember: the bathroom reflects your attitude towards higiene and will affect the buyer's opinion about you and other residents of your property.
  8. Small repairs – you do not have to repair or renovate the whole house or flat, but it is always advisable to unclog a sink, replace a broken doorpane, tighten a door handle, repair a socket or oil the hinges.
  9. Overflow – all traces od water damage due to overflow usually cause anxiety and terror. Visitors associate them with dampness, mould and – consequently – extensive renovation and enormous costs. If possible, repair all faults which may cause overlow: you can, for example, weatherproof your roof and windows, or check drainpipes for leaks and damages.
  10. Information – honestly inform customers about the technical state of the property. A buyer has a right to know if all home systems, such as sanitary fittings, plumbings and wirings function properly. You should be able to give accurate information as to whether (and when) the fittings were replaced, if the pipes are unobstructed, and if utilities (such as water pressure) and all house appliances (such as a gas water heater, a cooker, etc.) are in good working order. You cannot also conceal information about mining damages or frequent overflowing of cellars.
  11. Rodents and insects – in case you notice the presence of rodents or insects, you should immediately consult pest control professionals. When the problem has been solved, get rid of all traces of unwelcome residents (remove mice traps, tidy up remains of rat poison, etc).
Helpful links
Ministry of Construction http://www.mb.gov.pl/
Polish Real Estate Federation (PREF) http://www.pfrn.pl/
Bielsko-Czestochowa-Katowice Association of Real Estate Agents
http://www.bck.pl/
Institute of A Real Estate Management http://www.ign.org.pl/
Banks Banks
Insurance companies Insurance companies
Notary professionals Notary professionals
Solicitors and lawyers Solicitors and lawyers
Architects Architects
Geodesists Geodesists
Real estate appraisers Real estate appraisers
Real estate advertising portals:
http://www.gratka.pl/
http://www.trader.pl/
http://www.krn.pl/
http://www.son.com.pl/
http://www.ign.net.pl/
http://www.mlspolska.pl/
Online map of Poland http://www.zumi.pl/
City Hall in Katowice

4 Młyńska Street, 40-098 Katowice
phone.: +48 32 2593-909, fax +48 32 2537-984
e-mail: Urzad_Miasta@um.katowice.pl
http://www.um.katowice.pl/pl/
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Wednesday 7:30 – 1:00 pm

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CASHIER'S OFFICE – 5 Pocztowa Street
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46 Ligonia Street, 40-037 Katowice
phone: +48 32 20 78 888,
e-mail: kancelaria@silesia-region.pl
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The First Tax Office in Katowice

17 Żwirki i Wigury Street, 40-063 Katowice
phone: +48 32 359-72-00
Fax.: +48 32 251-46-44 0-32 251-46-35

e-mail: uskce1@isnet.katowice.pl
www.isnet.katowice.pl./US/katowice1.htm

Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cashier's Office:
Monday, Wednesday 7:30 am – 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 am – 1:00 pm

The Second Tax Office in Katowice

32b Paderewskiego Street, 40-282 Katowice
phone: +48 32 358-16-00 0-32 358-17-00
fax.: +48 32 358-16-81 0-32 358-16-75

e-mail: us2417@sl.mofnet.gov.pl
www.isnet.katowice.pl/us/Katowice2.htm
Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

Tax Chamber in Katowice

25 Damrota Street, 40-022 Katowice
phone: +48 32 207-60-00 fax.: +48 32 788-60-10
e-mail: is@sl.mofnet.gov.pl sekret@isnet.katowice.pl
http://www.isnet.katowice.pl

District Court in Katowice District Court in Katowice
Department of Land and Mortgage Registers

32 Sokolska Street, 40-086 Katowice
Phone: + 48 32 6047-847

Power Distribution Company

19 Widok Street, 40-118 Katowice
Opening hours:
Monday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Tuesday 8.00 am – 2.00 pm
Wednesday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Thursday 8.00 am – 2.00 pm
Friday 8.00 am – 2.00 pm
http://www.vattenfall.pl

Regional Water Supply and Sewage Company in Katowice, plc

89 Obr.Westerplatte Street, 40-335 Katowice
phone: central office +48 32 78 82 600, dispatcher +48 32 25 64 809, +48 32 25 65 537
e-mail: rpwik@rpwik.katowice.pl
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Upper Silesian Gas Company, Ltd. in Zabrze

Gas Distribution Board in Katowice
3 Pukowca Street, 40-847 Katowice
phone: +48 32 251 54 11; fax +48 32 205 08 78
http://www.gaz.zabrze.pl/gsg_5.htm

Timetables:

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PKS – Polish Long-Distance Coach Service
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PKP – Polish Railways
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Pyrzowice Airport
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