Maharashtra rental guide
Stamp duty, registration, deposit norms and agreement practice — free.
Last verified: October 2026 · Rates change — verify at the sub-registrar before paying.
Stamp duty basis
0.25% of (total rent + non-refundable deposit + 10% p.a. interest on refundable deposit)
Registration
YES — all terms, incl. 11-month (Sec 55(1) MRC Act; landlord liable: 3 months/₹5,000) · ₹1,000 urban / ₹500 rural per fee table (+ e-filing/service charge)
Deposit norm
2–3 months (negotiable)
Agreement + police
Leave & License, e-registered via IGR portal (Aadhaar OTP) · Landlord's duty; Mumbai Police online tenant submission
Figures are commonly-cited ranges with a verify badge — confirm the current schedule at the sub-registrar/portal before paying a rupee.
Maharashtra questions
Maharashtra me stamp duty kitni lagti hai? / What is stamp duty in Maharashtra?
0.25% of (total rent + non-refundable deposit + 10% p.a. interest on refundable deposit). Use the calculator with your rent and deposit for an estimate — then verify at the sub-registrar before paying.
Maharashtra me registration compulsory hai? / Is registration compulsory in Maharashtra?
YES — all terms, incl. 11-month (Sec 55(1) MRC Act; landlord liable: 3 months/₹5,000)
Maharashtra me deposit kitna normal hai? / What deposit is normal in Maharashtra?
2–3 months (negotiable). Get refund conditions and timeline in writing — 'will adjust later' is how deposits die.
Also useful
Rent agreement register karna zaroori hai? / Is registration compulsory?
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.
11 month agreement kyu hota hai? / Why is everything 11 months?
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.
Maharashtra me stamp duty kaise nikalti hai? / How is Maharashtra stamp duty calculated?
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).
Stamp duty kaun bharta hai? / Who pays stamp duty?
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.
Notary vs registered agreement? / Notarized or registered — which is better?
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.
E-stamp paper kya hai? / What is e-stamp paper?
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.