Rent Agreement Format & Legal Paper Drafts for Indian Buyers & Sellers

RENT AGREEMENT / RESIDENTIAL LEASE DEED (11 MONTHS)

THIS RENT AGREEMENT is made and executed on this [Day: e.g. 1st] day of [Month], [Year: e.g. 2026], at [City, State],

BETWEEN:

[LANDLORD FULL NAME], Son/Daughter/Wife of [Father/Husband Name], aged about [Age] years, permanent resident of [Permanent Address of Landlord], holding PAN [Landlord PAN: 10 Digits] and Aadhaar No. [Landlord Aadhaar: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX] (hereinafter called the "FIRST PARTY / LESSOR / LANDLORD", which expression shall unless excluded by or repugnant to the context include their legal heirs, successors, legal representatives, and assigns) of the FIRST PART;

AND

[TENANT FULL NAME], Son/Daughter/Wife of [Father/Husband Name], aged about [Age] years, permanent resident of [Permanent Address of Tenant], holding PAN [Tenant PAN: 10 Digits] and Aadhaar No. [Tenant Aadhaar: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX] (hereinafter called the "SECOND PARTY / LESSEE / TENANT", which expression shall unless excluded by or repugnant to the context include their legal heirs, successors, and permitted assigns) of the SECOND PART.

WHEREAS the First Party is the absolute legal owner and in lawful physical possession of residential premises situated at:
[COMPLETE PROPERTY ADDRESS: FLAT/HOUSE NO., FLOOR, BUILDING/SOCIETY NAME, WARD/STREET, CITY, STATE, PIN CODE] (hereinafter referred to as the "SCHEDULED PREMISES").

AND WHEREAS the Second Party has approached the First Party to take the Scheduled Premises on rent for bona fide residential purposes only, and the First Party has agreed to let out the same on the following terms and statutory conditions:

NOW THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH AS UNDER:

1. DURATION & TENURE (11-MONTH EXEMPTION):
The tenancy shall be for a fixed period of 11 (Eleven) months commencing from [Start Date: DD/MM/YYYY] and expiring on [End Date: DD/MM/YYYY]. In accordance with Section 17(1)(d) of the Registration Act, 1908, this agreement being for a period not exceeding eleven months does not attract mandatory registration. The tenancy may be renewed upon mutual written consent on mutually agreed terms with revised rent via fresh agreement.

2. MONTHLY RENT & PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
The agreed monthly rent for the Scheduled Premises is Rs. [Rent in Figures]/- (Rupees [Rent in Words] only), payable in advance on or before the [e.g., 5th or 7th] day of each English calendar month directly into the First Party's designated bank account / UPI:
- Bank Name: [Bank Name] | Account No.: [Bank Account Number]
- IFSC Code: [IFSC Code] | Account Holder: [Landlord Full Name]
- UPI ID: [UPI ID]

3. STATUTORY SECURITY DEPOSIT (MTA SECTION 11 COMPLIANCE):
(a) The Second Party has paid to the First Party an interest-free refundable security deposit sum of Rs. [Deposit in Figures]/- (Rupees [Deposit in Words] only) via [Cheque / NEFT / RTGS / UPI Ref No.] dated [Date].
(b) In accordance with Section 11(1) of the Model Tenancy Act (MTA), 2021, the security deposit does not exceed two (2) months' agreed rent.
(c) Pursuant to Section 11(2) of the Model Tenancy Act, 2021, the First Party undertakes to refund this entire deposit to the Second Party within 30 (Thirty) days of the Second Party vacating and delivering peaceful, vacant physical possession and keys of the premises, subject only to deductions for unpaid electricity/water utility bills or proven physical damages beyond reasonable wear and tear.

4. TAX DEDUCTED AT SOURCE (TDS UNDER SECTION 194-IB):
In the event the agreed monthly rent exceeds Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand per month), the Second Party (Tenant) shall deduct TDS @ 2% (as amended by Finance (No. 2) Act 2024, effective 1st October 2024; previously 5%) under Section 194-IB of the Income Tax Act, 1961, deposit the same with the Central Government via Challan Form 26QC, and furnish Form 16C TDS certificate to the First Party.

5. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS & WEAR-AND-TEAR:
(a) The Second Party shall maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary condition. Minor routine repairs (e.g., replacement of tap washers, internal fuses, light bulbs, minor drain clearing) up to Rs. 500/- shall be borne by the Second Party.
(b) Major structural repairs, wall seepage, plumbing line bursts, or electrical wiring defects not resulting from tenant negligence shall be rectified promptly by the First Party at their own cost.
(c) In accordance with Section 108 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, natural paint fade, normal weathering, and reasonable wear-and-tear resulting from ordinary domestic usage shall NOT be deducted from the security deposit.

6. UTILITY METERS & RECORDINGS:
The Second Party shall punctually pay the monthly electricity, water, PNG cooking gas, and society maintenance charges as per actual invoices.
- Starting Electricity Meter Reading: [Units in KWh] on [Date: DD/MM/YYYY] (Consumer No.: [Consumer ID])
- Starting Piped Gas (PNG) Reading: [Units in SCM] on [Date: DD/MM/YYYY]
- Starting Water Meter Reading: [Units in KL] on [Date: DD/MM/YYYY]

7. INSPECTION & PRIVACY (MTA SECTION 15 COMPLIANCE):
The First Party or their authorized representative shall have the right to inspect the premises only between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM by serving at least 24 (Twenty-Four) hours' prior written or electronic notice (via WhatsApp/SMS/Email) to the Second Party, ensuring no undue interference with the tenant's lawful privacy.

8. LOCK-IN PERIOD & TERMINATION NOTICE:
(a) Mandatory Lock-In: Both parties agree to a mandatory lock-in period of [e.g., 3 / 6] months. Neither party shall terminate the tenancy during the lock-in period except for gross contractual breach.
(b) Notice Period: After expiry of the lock-in period, either party may terminate this agreement by serving [e.g., 1 (One) month] prior written notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, or by paying one month's rent in lieu thereof.

9. PROHIBITED USES & SUB-LETTING:
The Scheduled Premises shall be used strictly for bona fide private residential living. The Second Party shall not sub-let, assign, transfer, or part with possession of the premises to any third party, nor store hazardous or inflammable goods, nor carry out any commercial, illegal, or offensive activities contrary to Indian law.

10. VACATION & HANDOVER:
Upon expiry or earlier termination of the tenancy, the Second Party shall peacefully deliver vacant and physical possession of the Scheduled Premises along with all electrical and sanitary fittings in working condition, reasonable wear-and-tear excepted.

11. GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION:
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of India, the Model Tenancy framework, and the exclusive jurisdiction of the civil courts / Rent Authority at [City / District Name, State].

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the First Party and the Second Party have set their respective hands to this Agreement on the day, month, and year first written above in the presence of the following two independent witnesses:

FIRST PARTY (LANDLORD): _______________________
Name: [Landlord Full Name]
Phone: [Landlord Phone]

SECOND PARTY (TENANT): _______________________
Name: [Tenant Full Name]
Phone: [Tenant Phone]

WITNESS 1:
Signature: _______________________
Name: [Witness 1 Name]
Aadhaar / ID No.: [Witness 1 ID]
Address: [Witness 1 Postal Address]

WITNESS 2:
Signature: _______________________
Name: [Witness 2 Name]
Aadhaar / ID No.: [Witness 2 ID]
Address: [Witness 2 Postal Address]