In Polish: Spółdzielcze własnościowe prawo do lokalu
This is the word you will see in bank documents.
Definition
A cooperative ownership right to a flat (spółdzielcze własnościowe prawo do lokalu) is a right to a flat in a building owned by a housing cooperative. You can sell it, rent it out, pass it on in inheritance and encumber it with a mortgage. No new rights of this kind have been created since 2007, but many flats in older blocks still have this status.
What it means for you
You can buy such a flat with a mortgage, but the bank must enter the mortgage in a land register. If the flat has no register, one must be set up, which extends the time until the mortgage is entered and you pay a higher margin. A tenant cooperative right (lokatorskie prawo) cannot be bought or mortgaged.
Full entry in Polish, with a worked example and sources
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a mortgage on a cooperative flat without a land register?
Usually yes, if the bank agrees to set up the register at the deed. Until the mortgage is entered you pay a higher margin or bridging insurance.
Can I buy a tenant cooperative right with a mortgage?
No. The tenant right cannot be transferred and cannot secure a loan. The tenant must first convert it into separate ownership.
Do I pay PCC tax when buying a cooperative ownership right?
Yes, 2% of the price on the secondary market. The exemption for a first flat also covers a cooperative ownership right to a residential flat.
Related terms
Definitions are simplified and reflect Polish law and bank practice as of October 2026. Details
Where every word matters, the Act and your loan agreement decide. Figures in examples are indicative and are not a bank offer. The Polish version of each entry has worked examples and sources.
Other terms in “Property and security”