What are the rent agreement laws in India?

Rent agreements should be written and registered. They are governed by state Rent Control Acts and the Model Tenancy Act, 2021. 11-month agreements are common to avoid registration requirements.

Rent agreements in India are governed by state-specific Rent Control Acts, with the Model Tenancy Act 2021 recommended for adoption by states. Key legal points: A written rent agreement is strongly recommended — oral agreements are valid but hard to prove. Agreements of 12 months or more MUST be registered under the Registration Act (Section 17). This is why 11-month agreements are common — they avoid mandatory registration fees. However, unregistered agreements longer than 12 months cannot be used as evidence in court. The agreement should clearly state: rent amount, security deposit (typically 2-3 months), duration, maintenance responsibilities, notice period for termination, and conditions for rent increase. Under most state laws, rent cannot be increased during the agreement period unless specified. Security deposit should typically not exceed 2-3 months' rent. Both landlord and tenant must carry their Aadhaar and PAN for the agreement. Stamp duty varies by state (typically 1-2% of annual rent). Having a registered agreement protects both landlord and tenant in disputes.

• State Rent Control Act (varies by state)
• Registration Act — Section 17 (Registration of leases over 12 months)
• Indian Stamp Act (stamp duty on agreements)
• Model Tenancy Act, 2021 (if adopted by state)
• Transfer of Property Act — Section 107 (Lease requirements)