Residential units in Poland – is it better to build them to rent or to sell in the current economic environment? The participants of Living Investment Forum 2022, held by Property Forum last week in Warsaw, were unanimous – for now, rental is the only choice.

PFR Nieruchomości will debut in Szczecin with a large rental project, located on 6 hectares owned by PKP (Polish State Railways). It will comprise 9 buildings, 800 flats, recreational space and amenities.

The economical environment for PRS investments in Poland has never been so favourable. However, foreign investors cannot spread their wings because of the general uncertainty, planning difficulties and high debt costs – these are just some of the topics that were covered in a panel discussion with international investors during Living Investment Forum 2022, organised by Property Forum yesterday in Warsaw.

Kamil Kowa, Member of the Board and Head of the Corporate Finance & Valuation Department at Savills Poland, talked to Property Forum about the current slowdown in the Polish residential market, PRS funds' expansion and the forecast for private student accommodation in that country.

Błażej Czwarnok and Marcin Muszel, Partners in the Real Estate Practice at Gide Loyrette Nouel spoke with Property Forum about the PRS market, economic turbulence caused by the war in Ukraine and legislative changes coming to the Polish real estate sector.

Piotr Szafarz, Partner, Head of Real Estate in Poland and CEE, Dentons talked to Property Forum about the forecasts for the PRS market in Poland, the impact of the war in Ukraine on the European properties and the expected changes in financing conditions.

Property Forum sat down with Piotr Trzciński, Head of Poland and Andrew Allen, Global Head of Research, Product Strategy and Development at Savills Investment Management, to talk about the company’s investment strategy in Europe and Poland in particular. They also talked about Savills IM’s ambition to become net zero by 2040 and the way ESG is shaping future developments in the European commercial real estate sector.

Build to rent or build to sell? The participants of CEE Property Forum in Vienna were sure that in the current residential market environment of high inflation and rising interest rates, building for PRS purposes is the only valid option.

The PRS market accounts for a mere 1% of all rental flats in Poland. Despite being in its infancy, it is likely to become a strong investment alternative and gain popularity in light of the current macroeconomic conditions and challenges facing the housing sector. The latest report prepared by experts of CRIDO and Savills looks at what’s next for this commercial real estate sector in the coming years and legal and tax issues that an investor needs to take into account in investment planning.

Sławomir Imianowski, CEO of Resi4Rent talked to Property Forum about the development of the Polish PRS market, residential demand among Ukrainian refugees and the challenges related to surging materials and energy prices.