Real Estate Insights
The Model Tenancy Act, RERA, deposit disputes, eviction notices — decoded from bare-act legalese into what to actually do next, whether you’re renting out a flat or renting one.
The Model Tenancy Act, 2021: What Renters and Landlords Should Know
India's Model Tenancy Act caps deposits, mandates written agreements and sets up dedicated rent courts — here's what actually changes.
Tenant Rights in India: What Every Renter Should Know
From deposit limits to eviction notice periods, here are the protections renters actually have — and how to act when they're ignored.
Security Deposit Rules: How Much Can a Landlord Ask and When Must It Be Returned?
Caps, refund timelines and what counts as a valid deduction — the rules that decide whether you get your deposit back in full.
A Landlord's Guide to Screening Tenants Properly
Police verification, document checks and the red flags worth pausing on — screening done right protects both the property and the paperwork.
Which States Have Actually Adopted the Model Tenancy Act?
The Model Tenancy Act isn't nationwide law — it only applies where a state has formally adopted it. Here's the real adoption picture.
How the Model Tenancy Act's Rent Courts Actually Work
Rent Authority, Rent Court, Rent Tribunal — a three-tier system built to keep tenancy disputes out of slow civil courts. Here's how a case moves through it.
Old Rent Control Acts vs the Model Tenancy Act: What Actually Changes
Decades-old Rent Control Acts froze rents and made eviction nearly impossible. The Model Tenancy Act was built specifically to fix that — here's the contrast.
Renting Out Property in India as an NRI: The Agreement Checklist
Managing a tenancy from abroad adds real risk. A licence agreement, a local power of attorney and a few extra clauses cover most of it.
Tenant Right to Privacy: When Can a Landlord Actually Enter?
A landlord owning the property doesn't mean unrestricted access. Entry has to be reasonable, notified and for a legitimate purpose.
Subletting Rules in India: What Tenants Need Written Consent For
Subletting without permission is one of the most common grounds cited for eviction. Here's what's actually allowed and what needs sign-off.
What to Do If Your Landlord Tries to Illegally Evict You
Cutting power, changing locks, or forcing you out without a court order is not a landlord's right — no matter how overdue the rent is.
The Move-In Checklist That Protects Your Security Deposit
Most deposit disputes come down to one missing thing: proof of the property's condition on day one. A five-minute checklist fixes that.
Does Your Security Deposit Earn Interest? Usually Not — Here's Why
Unlike some countries, Indian rent law doesn't require landlords to pay interest on a security deposit by default. It only happens if you negotiate it in.
Landlord Won't Refund Your Deposit? Here's the Escalation Path
A written demand is the first step, not the last. If that doesn't work, there's a defined route through the Rent Authority and beyond.
Security Deposits in Commercial Leases: What's Different
Commercial deposits run far higher than residential ones and 'restoration charges' are a common point of dispute. Here's what to negotiate upfront.
Tenant Background Verification: Beyond Just Police Checks
Police verification confirms identity and criminal history. A complete screening also checks income, employment and rental history — here's how to layer it.
Building a Tenant Screening Questionnaire That Actually Works
A structured set of questions, asked consistently, catches more red flags than an informal chat — and keeps screening fair across every applicant.
Dealing with a Problem Tenant: The Legal Process, Not the Shortcut
A non-paying or disruptive tenant is frustrating, but the fix is a documented notice-and-eviction process — not locks changed overnight.
RERA Explained: What It Actually Covers (and What It Doesn't)
RERA protects homebuyers from project delays and misrepresentation — but rental agreements fall outside it entirely. Here's the real scope.
RERA Carpet Area Rules: Why This One Term Matters So Much
Builders used to quote flats by 'super built-up area' — a number that could overstate the usable space by 25-30%. RERA changed the baseline.
Builder Delayed Your Possession? Here's What RERA Entitles You To
A delayed handover isn't just an inconvenience under RERA — it's a defined right to either a full refund with interest, or continued interest until possession.
How to File a RERA Complaint, Step by Step
Every state RERA authority runs its own portal, but the process is broadly the same — and most straightforward delay cases resolve in a handful of hearings.
RERA-Registered vs Non-RERA Project: A Buyer's Checklist
A project's RERA registration number is checkable in minutes — and it's the fastest way to separate a legitimate development from a risky one.
What Landlords Can't Ask (or Reject a Tenant For)
Screening protects a property, but it isn't unlimited — rejecting an applicant on the wrong basis can expose a landlord to a discrimination complaint.
Rent Agreement Essentials: Stamp Duty, Registration & Must-Have Clauses
E-stamping is now mandatory, registration rules vary by state and a handful of clauses save every dispute later. A practical checklist.
Common Mistakes Tenants Make When Signing a Rent Agreement
Most rent disputes trace back to something skipped at signing — an unclear deposit clause, an unregistered agreement, or a verbal-only promise.
Notarized vs Registered Rent Agreement: Does It Actually Matter?
A notarized agreement isn't the same as a registered one — and the difference shows up exactly when you need the document to hold up in a dispute.
Leave & License vs Lease Agreement: Which One Should You Sign?
The two look similar on paper, but they create very different legal rights — especially around eviction. Here's what actually separates them.
Your Landlord Is Selling the Property — What Happens to Your Tenancy?
A sale doesn't automatically end your lease. The new owner generally has to honour the existing agreement until its term runs out.