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.
- Act
- Registration Act, 1908 (1908)
- Act number
- Act No. 16 of 1908
- Enacting authority
- Imperial Legislative Council (British India) — remains in force under Article 372 of the Constitution of India
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current provisions against the official source before relying on them.
Signing without reading the deposit and deduction clause
The single biggest source of disputes at move-out is an agreement that never specified how deductions would be calculated. Confirm the exact deposit amount, the refund timeline and what counts as a valid deduction before signing — not after a dispute starts.
Accepting a verbal promise instead of a written clause
A landlord's verbal assurance about repairs, furnishing, or a rent freeze carries no legal weight. If it was promised, it needs to be a written clause in the signed, stamped agreement.
Not insisting on e-stamping or registration
Since e-stamping became mandatory in July 2025, an agreement executed on plain paper is both non-compliant and weak evidence in a dispute. Confirm the stamp paper or e-stamp certificate is genuine and in both parties' names.
Skipping the property condition record
Moving in without photographing the property's existing condition — scuffed paint, appliance wear, fixtures — removes your strongest evidence against unfair deposit deductions later.