Question 1

Rent agreement register karna zaroori hai? / Is registration compulsory?

Accepted Answer

Above 11 months: YES, PAN-India (Registration Act). 11-month: optional in most states (notarized works, registered is stronger) — EXCEPT Maharashtra, where registration is compulsory at ANY term. Rajasthan needs Rent Authority registration instead.

Question 2

11 month agreement kyu hota hai? / Why is everything 11 months?

Accepted Answer

To stay under the 12-month compulsory-registration threshold in most states — saving registration cost and office visits. In Maharashtra this logic fails: registration is still mandatory.

Question 3

Maharashtra me stamp duty kaise nikalti hai? / How is Maharashtra stamp duty calculated?

Accepted Answer

Article 36A: 0.25% of (total rent for the term + non-refundable deposit + 10% p.a. interest on refundable deposit) + ₹1,000 urban / ₹500 rural registration (+ e-filing/service charges). Example: ₹15,000 × 11 mo + ₹50,000 deposit ≈ ₹1,700 all-in urban (duty ≈₹400 + registration + charges).

Question 4

Stamp duty kaun bharta hai? / Who pays stamp duty?

Accepted Answer

In absence of contrary agreement, the LESSEE (tenant) pays (Sec 29(c) Indian Stamp Act) — but most agreements split or assign it explicitly. Whatever it says in writing wins, so read that clause.

Question 5

Notary vs registered agreement? / Notarized or registered — which is better?

Accepted Answer

Registered always wins in court. Notarized 11-month agreements are the common compromise (cheap, fast). For multi-year stays or high deposits, pay for registration.

Question 6

E-stamp paper kya hai? / What is e-stamp paper?

Accepted Answer

Electronic stamp duty payment (SHCIL / state portals like Kaveri, IGR) replacing physical stamp paper in most states. Keep the e-stamp certificate with the agreement — it IS the duty proof.

Question 7

Agreement renew ho to phir stamp duty? / Renewal — fresh stamp duty?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a renewal/extension is a fresh agreement for duty purposes (new term, new consideration). Budget it into long stays; multi-year first agreements are often cheaper than yearly renewals.

Question 8

Dost ke naam agreement me reh sakte hai? / Can I stay on someone else's agreement?

Accepted Answer

Only with written owner consent (permitted occupant / subletting clause). Otherwise you have zero tenant rights, zero HRA proof, and can be asked to leave anytime.

State	Stamp duty basis	Registration	Deposit norm	Guide
Maharashtra	0.25% of (total rent + non-refundable deposit + 10% p.a. interest on refundable deposit)	Compulsory	2–3 months (negotiable)	Guide →
Delhi	2% of average annual rent (11-month agreements: ~₹100 flat stamp duty in practice)	11-mo optional	2 months (norm)	Guide →
Karnataka	₹200 flat (≤11 months); ~1% of avg annual rent for longer	11-mo optional	Up to 10 months (Bengaluru norm — negotiate hard)	Guide →
Tamil Nadu	~1% of average annual rent	11-mo optional	6–10 months Chennai market norm (law caps lower — verify, negotiable)	Guide →
Telangana	~0.5% of annual rent	11-mo optional	2–3 months	Guide →
Andhra Pradesh	~0.5% of annual rent	11-mo optional	2–3 months	Guide →
Uttar Pradesh	~₹500 flat (≤1 yr, annual rent ≤₹2L — post-Nov-2025 slabs; verify on IGRS UP)	11-mo optional	2 months (norm)	Guide →
Gujarat	~1% of annual rent	11-mo optional	2–3 months	Guide →
Rajasthan	Verify current schedule at sub-registrar	Compulsory	2–3 months	Guide →
West Bengal	Short agreements: low fixed duty in practice — verify sub-registrar schedule	11-mo optional	2–3 months	Guide →
Madhya Pradesh	~1% of annual rent	11-mo optional	2–3 months	Guide →
Punjab	~1% of average annual rent (min ₹100)	11-mo optional	2–3 months	Guide →
Haryana	~1% of average annual rent	11-mo optional	2–3 months	Guide →
Bihar	~2% of (annual rent + deposit)	11-mo optional	2–3 months	Guide →

Renting in India, end to end — compare, calculate, then sign

Rent vs Buy

HRA Exemption

Affordability + Escalation + Notice

Stamp Duty + Registration

TDS on Rent (194-IB)

Agreement Guide

Did you know? (1/8)

Stamp duty & deposit norms by state

Common questions

Official links (verify everything here)