r/lublin 28d ago

housing problem as an international student

I’m a 23-year-old student (F), originally from Turkey, currently studying in Lublin. ( since 2 years ) Since moving here, I’ve been really struggling with housing and it feels like no one wants to rent to a foreigner.

I understand that some landlords may had bad experiences in the past with tenants not paying rent or leaving places messy, and I totally get that. But when I’m rejected because of the language barrier, it’s honestly very discouraging.

I’m trying to improve my Polish skills and I always try to communicate respectfully . I even use Google Translate most of the time to make sure I’m being clear. But I rarely get any responses, and it feels like I’m being dismissed before I even get a chance. (And most of the rooms that accept foreigners looks more like a living room rather than a bedroom sadly. Very low quality rooms)

Any tips or advice on how to deal with it or how to improve my chances of finding a place?

9 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

6

u/Early_Raisin_5918 28d ago

Have you tried ani agency? I know for a fact eg. Lucas Apartments had made arrangements for two Taiwanese guys before i rented the place. Also, on Prusa street there is a Dom Studenta where alot od foreginers live. Do you have any Polish friends? Maybe yoo could rent together. Sorry for the racist folks 😅

3

u/Content-Tank6027 28d ago

As far as I know some landlords, especially those who rent rooms, tend to want to keep it simple. Like translating contract to English is not what they want to do.

>Any tips or advice on how to deal with it or how to improve my chances of finding a place?

Find a polish speaking person, who will do the talking a kind of vouch for you. They should mention you are a student and its not your first year here. This is your main attribute.

4

u/Low-Photo-4312 28d ago

As a landlord I'd say it's even worse. It feels like a scam when a Polish person calls and speaks to me but in the end it turns out that the real tenant is another person from a foreign country.

3

u/Content-Tank6027 28d ago

Not "in the end". From the very beginning. "I am calling on behalf of" should be the first sentence.

1

u/Ill_Quarter8430 28d ago

I thought it would make things more complicated by adding another person to the situation. Thanks for the advice, I will definitely try it.

1

u/on_arrival34 27d ago

i volunteer if u need help translating from english to polish)

2

u/Neat_Procedure3987 28d ago

A polish person who you trust is the answer it’ll be easy:) also, ignore those racist comments. I feel bad for them to carry hate.

1

u/K3tr48 28d ago

try private dormitory if you have money

2

u/Mob301 28d ago

There’s some WhatsApp group chats dedicated to advertising houses in Lublin to foreigners. That’s how me and pretty much everyone I know find houses here. OLX is not for the faint hearted

3

u/Low-Photo-4312 28d ago

That's the reality that every foreigner faces. Deal with it or leave.

1

u/SkrzydlatyPawel 28d ago

make friends with someone local and help you

1

u/Aromatic_Comfort8387 28d ago

I faced the same problem when I was a student in Lublin to In the beginning I lived in the student dormitory but after my studies I had to move out. That’s when I learned how difficult it is to find a place as a foreigner I was lucky to find an apartment through a friend whose landlord was looking for a tenant

I tried calling ads on OLX with Polish speaking friends but once the landlords found out I wasn’t Polish or didn’t speak Polish most of them lost interest However there were a few who were fine with it So I think you just have to keep trying until you get a response from someone Also keep checking Facebook many international students post there when they move out and are looking for someone to replace them

1

u/Timely-Extension-124 27d ago

When I was looking for an apartment - I’ve mentioned that I’m a foreigner in my first message, so if landlord is not ok with it - he will simply don’t answer or say no, so none of us will not waste time.

1

u/vikunawija 27d ago

Shittt unfortunately that’s a problem in many countries in the area

1

u/Lillytbb 24d ago

I would say try to find housing with your university - if there are some dorm ‘akademika’ option that would be your best bet. Post on your uni’s fb group and be open to possibly having to rent with roommates. Reach out to the expat community in Lublin and do your best to keep learning the language. There are nice landlords out there but you got to be persistent in searching!

2

u/Lillytbb 24d ago

Also having proof of stable income, previous landlord reference and possibly signing at a notary are some things you should be open to. And if that fails try to go through a real-estate agency.

1

u/Seelenverkoper 28d ago

Or rent apartament VIA real estate office.

-12

u/[deleted] 28d ago

Go home 

7

u/Ill_Quarter8430 28d ago

Just to be clear , I pay my university fees, and I’ve been LEGALLY accepted to study here. I follow the laws, and I respect and understand the culture . I’m also making the afford to learn the language because I believe it’s important to connect with the community , and also because of showing respect.

I’m not here to take anything from anyone. Polish government accepted me to be here. I’m here to study, grow, and contribute like thousands of other international students across Europe. So your mindset is the problem here not me. And here is my home now. Thanks.

5

u/blablaminek 28d ago

Don't pay attention to morons like these, unfortunately racists in Poland are getting braver and braver with their racist remarks and liberals in power decided that the best course of action is to pander to them and ignore most extreme ones.

-7

u/[deleted] 28d ago

Yeah, lets ruin another country with incoming muslim invaders, great idea. I wonder how it turned out for western countries.

-9

u/[deleted] 28d ago

I don't care, we will make your life uncomfortable. Polish government does not care about locals. Too much issues with the imigrants are pissing us. 

7

u/DrawingDowntown5858 28d ago

Please don't make threats like that. We don't talk to women like that here.

You can make living in this area unbearable for yourself if you continue to do that.

1

u/Seelenverkoper 28d ago

Go f*ck yourself!