Tenants pay regularly, but for months the other co-owners hear only: ‘Everything went into the building.’ They do not know the rent, vacant units or completed repairs. The first problem may be missing information rather than the amount distributed.
The examples are illustrative. Sources checked on 16 September 2026. This article concerns Polish law and records.
Income belongs to identifiable right-holders
Under Article 207 of the Civil Code, benefits and other income from common property belong to co-owners in proportion to their shares; the same principle applies to expenditure and burdens. Start with the shares and existing management and use agreements.
Receiving transfers does not make the rent the account holder’s exclusive property. Equally, total tenant payments are not automatically distributable income. Separate revenue, actual expenditure and refundable deposits.
Basis: [1] art. 207
Request management accounts
A co-owner who does not manage the property may request accounts at appropriate intervals. A useful statement identifies the period, leases, sums due, payments received, arrears and documented expenses. This distinguishes tenant non-payment from failure to account between owners.
‘Show me all the money’ can provoke another argument. Specify the months and document types. Compare the statement with source records, not merely an earlier spreadsheet.
Basis: [1] art. 208
Can the managing co-owner be paid?
A managing co-owner may claim remuneration corresponding to a justified amount of work. This does not mean an arbitrary unilateral fee or entitlement to retain all rent. Establish the basis, duties and accounting method.
In this example, one owner may answer tenants’ calls, pay insurance and supervise repairs. Describe these tasks. Clear rules protect the manager too by recording the work actually performed.
Basis: [1] art. 205
Separate past accounts from future rules
Settle past periods using documents and the arrangements applicable then. For future periods, agree reporting dates, expense approval, document access and distributions. A new agreement does not automatically resolve earlier claims.
Where management is persistently blocked or the majority breaches proper-management principles or harms the minority, the law provides for seeking a court-appointed manager. Conditions and evidence must be assessed. Documented failures to account are more useful than general accusations.
Basis: [1] art. 203
What to prepare
- Current shares and management/use agreements.
- Rent due and received for the specified period.
- Invoices and payments, with deposits and advances separate.
- Earlier correspondence requesting management accounts.
Remember
Obtain verifiable accounts first. Then assess the amount due to each co-owner.
Sources and references
Official legislation, judgments and institutional materials. The relevant sources are identified below each section.
- Polish Civil Code — consolidated text, Journal of Laws 2026, item 795 — opens a new windowart. 207; art. 208; art. 205; art. 203