In fresh weeks There is simply a sharp increase in the number of citizens' applications across Poland, going to taxation offices, construction supervision, labour inspectorates or municipal environmental departments. Source? Common anonymous reports from neighbors, who pay attention to illegal rental, self-employment, untaxed business activities or incorrect waste water discharges.
According to information obtained from respective provincial inspectorates, The number of applications increased by up to respective 100 percent compared to the same period last year. In any municipalities officials say they gotta make additional control teamsto respond at all to incoming communications.
What do the neighbors report?
The most commonly reported cases are:
- Illegal renting of rooms or tourist cottages without registration of economical activity.
- Unreported construction and alterations – including late popular summertime houses and garages.
- Non-taxed service activities – e.g. cosmetics, hairdressers or mechanics working “black” in private property.
- Environmental pollution – cesspool discharges without permission, burning garbage in furnaces, noise.
The increase in the number of reports is mostly attributed summer and increase of tourist trafficbut besides growing public awareness and local neighbourhood conflicts. It is besides crucial to amend the rules allowing easier reporting of online irregularities – via ePUAP, forms on office pages or anonymous application lines.
Office reactions: more control and little leniency
The scale of the applications forced the authorities to intensify their activities. As confirmed by representatives Building Surveillance Inspectionin fresh weeks they have been even after respective inspections per day in individual municipalities.
– We follow procedure. Each notification must be registered, and if it contains circumstantial data, we shall verify it in the field – says 1 of the construction inspectors in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Similarly, taxation officials and municipal officials say:
– We can't ignore calls, not even anonymous ones. If the application indicates a circumstantial address, kind of activity and another details – we request to check them.
As a consequence More and more mandates are being imposed, administrative procedures are being initiatedEven directing cases to the D.A.'s office.
What is the threat of a controlled person?
The consequences for persons whose activities have been notified may be serious:
- Fines for deficiency of registration of economical activity (up to PLN 5 thousand).
- Penalties for self-employment, demolition or legalisation orders (cost and time-consuming).
- Tax checks and taxation increases for black activities.
- Mandates for pollution – for example for illegal incineration or discharge of dirt.
Importantly, even if control doesn't full confirm all the charges, the visit itself may consequence in the detection of another irregularities – e.g. installation, planning and local taxes.
Why do Poles report?
The phenomenon of mass reporting is not new, but experts emphasize that current scale is unprecedented.
– Neighbors became more active, frequently acting out of frustration or jealousy. The increase in property prices, the increased rates of local taxes, as well as the increased tourist movement in tiny towns fuel tensions, says sociologist Dr. Ewa Rutkowska.
It besides highlights the effect of ‘simple reporting’ – Online forms, e-contact systems with offices and complete anonymity make the intellectual barrier disappear. In practice, anyone can study anything – not always according to reality.
Can the tip be false?
Yeah, but the offices do not consider applications by the object of the applicantonly the content of the application. If the tip contains specific and verifiable data, officials are obliged to check it – whether it is real or not.
False notifications may consequence in misuse of administrative resources, but failure to answer to the notification would entail a hazard of failure to comply with the duty. In the case of deliberate continuance, it is possible to prosecute Article 234 of the Criminal Code, but only if the applicant does not act anonymously.
How do you defend yourself?
For property owners, entrepreneurs and service providers, the key is:
- Registration of activities and reporting of changes to CEIDG or municipal offices.
- Verification of the conformity of construction with the planning and declaration of construction works.
- Holder of documentation on rental – even short term.
- Maintaining appropriate vicinity Relationswhich are frequently the first line of defense.
Perspectives: Is this the end of privacy?
The experts agree – The current trend will continue, in peculiar in the context of enhanced surveillance of the "grey zone", and increased interest in taxation services in gross from tourism and local services.
Summer 2025 promises not only as a period of intense trips, but besides as time of mass checks and authoritative activity, which, although needed, may awaken a sense of surveillance.
In practice, this means that anyone who conducts at least the smallest form of activity or investment on his game should anticipate that An alert neighbour may notify the applicable service – and control can appear sooner than expected.
More here:
Neighbors study massively. Checks across Poland after an avalanche of reports: