Know your rights
Renting is governed by state law. Most states still use an older Rent Control Act; a few have adopted the central Model Tenancy Act, 2021. Some rights hold almost everywhere.
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Get a written agreement and keep rent receipts. The landlord cannot cut water or electricity or throw you out by force; eviction needs a legal process. Under the Model Tenancy Act, the deposit is capped at two months’ rent for a home and must be refunded when you hand back the house, after fair deductions. Agreements longer than 11 months must be registered.
Under the Model Tenancy Act every tenancy must be in writing and reported to the Rent Authority within two months. Elsewhere it is still your best protection. Leases over one year must be registered under the Registration Act, which is why many use 11 months.
Model Tenancy Act 2021; Registration Act 1908, s.17Up to two months’ rent for a home and six months for a shop or office. It must be refunded when the landlord takes back vacant possession, minus genuine dues.
Model Tenancy Act 2021The landlord should give written notice, usually at least 24 hours, before entering for inspection or repairs, and come at a reasonable hour.
Model Tenancy Act 2021; state Acts varyCutting water, electricity or other essential services to force you out is not allowed under the Model Tenancy Act and most Rent Control Acts. Complain to the Rent Authority or Rent Controller.
Model Tenancy Act 2021; state Rent Control ActsYou can be evicted only on grounds in the law (non-payment, misuse, subletting without consent, the agreed period ending and so on) and through the Rent Authority, Rent Court or civil court. Changing locks or throwing out belongings is illegal.
State Rent Control Acts; Model Tenancy ActPay rent on time, take care of the house, do small repairs, do not sublet without written consent, and give the agreed notice before leaving.
Rent agreementMake a written agreement (our rent agreement or leave and licence draft), pay stamp duty as your state requires, and take dated photos of the house.
Many cities require tenant verification by the police or online. Ask the landlord to complete it.
Pay by UPI or bank transfer, or get signed receipts. These also help claim HRA.
Send a polite written notice first. Then approach the Rent Authority or Rent Controller of your area, or the civil court. Free legal aid can help (15100).
Give notice as agreed, hand over keys against a written receipt, and ask for the deposit back in writing.
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and state rules change; check the official source or ask a lawyer. Free legal aid: call NALSA 15100 or visit your District Legal Services Authority.
Tenancy is a state subject, so each state decides. Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Assam passed laws on its lines in 2021, and Tamil Nadu’s 2017 Act is similar. Others, like Delhi and Maharashtra, still use their Rent Control Acts. Check your state’s housing or revenue department.
Rent can be revised as the agreement says. Under the Model Tenancy Act the landlord must give written notice (three months) before a revision. In old rent-controlled tenancies the law fixes "standard rent".
Send a written demand with a date. Then send a legal notice (our payment legal notice draft works) and approach the Rent Authority or file a civil suit for recovery.
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