The apartments are getting more and more cramped. Poles 30 sq m. often enough for a family with children. Here’s the reason

Poles are shrinking. Within three years, the size of a two-room apartment has decreased by two square meters, according to a report by Otodom and JLL. 27 percent of families with children considered two rooms with a kitchen with a total area of ​​30-39 sq m as “acceptable for purchase” – according to data for 2022.

As we read in the report, in 2018 the most popular type of flats were those with three rooms. Within two years, however, not only the number of rooms in sought-after apartments has decreased, but also the expectations of Poles regarding the area.

– It seems that the belief: tight, but our own, which we still uphold in our country, along with the gigantic increase in inflation and the reduction in the availability of housing loans, has taken on a new meaning. The decline in creditworthiness forced buyers to limit the maximum amount they were able to spend on the purchase at a time when the total purchase prices of such premises were rising – explains Katarzyna Kuniewicz, Head of Research, Otodom Analytics.

Apartments are getting smaller. Poles’ expectations are falling

He adds that some of the buyers were able to lower their expectations regarding the location or standard. – On the other hand, for a large part, the solution was to plan a life in a smaller area. At the same time, 27 percent of people who took part in a study conducted for Otodom Analytics in February and March 2023 said that they would give up the purchase if they had difficulties in financing, he says.

At the end of 2021, the most sought-after space was 30-39 sq m. In 2022, even smaller premises gained popularity – up to 30 sq m. Their share in the structure of interest increased from 5 to 20 percent, as a result of which apartments with an area of ​​up to 40 sq. m. accounted for 54 percent. all seeker indications. An even higher percentage of such indications was recorded in Warsaw and Krakow (56 and 55 percent, respectively), the report reads.

Apartments a few meters above 30 sqm. until recently they could be considered as a larger studio apartment or the so-called studio

– analysts write.

– Over the last three years, potential buyers’ expectations regarding the size of the apartment have decreased, regardless of the preferred number of rooms. The more rooms, the smaller the minimum size is accepted by those looking for an apartment. Our report shows that there is an average of about 35 sq m for two-room apartments, 49 sq m for three-room apartments, and four rooms usually occupy an area of ​​67-69 sq m. – comments Anna Karaś, Senior Analyst, Residential Research, JLL.