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New Rental Rules: What Every Tenant & Landlord Should Know

new rental rules vector image

India’s rental system is entering a more organised phase in 2025. For years, renting a home meant dealing with unclear deposits, unpredictable rent hikes, and agreements that were either informal or never registered. The Rental Law aims to fix exactly that. They bring structure, transparency, and peace of mind for both tenants and property owners. 

 1. Rental Agreements Must Be Registered

The first major change is about documentation. Once you sign a rental agreement, it now needs to be officially registered, either online through the state’s property registration portal or at the local registrar’s office. You must do this within 2 months of signing. If the registration is skipped or delayed, a ₹5,000 penalty applies. This step ensures that both the landlord and the tenant have a clear, legally valid record of all terms. This is one of the most important rent rules that avoids misunderstandings later and protects both sides in case of disputes.

2. Security Deposit Limits 

Deposits have always been a pain point for tenants, especially in big cities, where landlords often demand 6–10 months’ rent upfront. The present rules bring much-needed balance.

Here’s the new update in which landlords can demand only as follows:

For Residential properties: Maximum 2 months rent

For Commercial properties: Maximum 6 months rent

This ensures no one is overcharged at the start of the tenancy. At the same time, landlords still get a reasonable security cushion. These limits bring uniformity to a system that was earlier unpredictable.

3. Rent Increases Need Advance Notice

Nowadays, Rent hikes happen suddenly, affecting many families. These rules will enable landlords to give a 3-month written notice prior to increasing the rent. This time can be used by the tenants to adjust their budgets and plan ahead, or consider shifting if needed. It will keep both parties mutually aligned.

vector image showing new rental rules

4. No Overstaying After Agreement Ends.

With this new rental rule, tenants cannot continue to stay after the agreement expires. If the tenant overstays without renewing or signing a new agreement, the landlord can charge penal rent, which can be higher than normal rent. This rule will ensure timely movement or renewal without unwanted delays. This rule protects the landlord against long, unpaid overstays.

 5. Faster and Smoother Dispute Resolution

To solve disputes, the Rent Law introduces Rent Tribunals, which will act as special bodies that have the responsibility to resolve conflicts between landlords and tenants. The main advantage is that these tribunals are expected to settle cases within 60 days, unlike standard court procedure. This reduces stress in traditional legal procedures.

 Why These Changes Matter

Together, these rent rules make renting far more predictable. Tenants get clarity and legal protection. Landlords get structured processes and quicker resolutions. The entire renting experience becomes smoother and more transparent.

If you are planning to shift or rent out your property, take a moment to understand these rules. Never forget to have a registered agreement, fair deposit, and proper notice period. This can help both sides avoid future problems. Above all, there should be clear communication between landlords and tenants. With the new rental framework, renting in India becomes more organised, safer, and rooted in mutual trust. To know more detailed updates like this, visit finprov website today.

Author Info

CA Veena

CA Veena

Ms. Veena Vijayan is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of hands-on experience in finance, accounting, taxation, audit, and compliance across different industries. Throughout her career, she has taken on key responsibilities from managing finance and accounts departments to working as an Audit Manager and later becoming an Audit Partner. As the Chief Operating Officer at Finprov, Ms. Veena focuses on building efficient systems, improving the performance of the team, delivering high-quality learning and training experiences, and building long-term strategies. Her thoughtful leadership and focus on continuous improvement make her a driving force behind Finprov’s success and innovation.

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