Rent Agreement Format India 2026: Free Download, Order Online

A rent agreement puts the rent, deposit, notice period and house rules in writing so neither side has to argue from memory later. Below you’ll find a free 11-month residential format you can fill in yourself, plus what to check about stamp paper and registration in your state.

Download the free format (Word) | Get it drafted and e-stamped

Free format: editable, with a checklist page and schedules for occupants and fixtures. Updated 21 October 2026.

What a good rent agreement covers

Most disputes between landlords and tenants come from things that were never written down. Make sure your agreement settles at least these points.

Clause	What to write	Why it matters
Parties	Full names, parents’ or spouse’s names, addresses, PAN and the last four digits of Aadhaar	Identifies exactly who is bound, and rent paid to a landlord is tracked against PAN
Premises	Full address, floor, area, parking	Avoids confusion about what was let out
Term and renewal	Start and end dates, and how it can be renewed	Sets the 11-month or other period clearly
Rent and due date	Amount, due day, payment mode, bank details	Gives proof of payment and a clear default date
Security deposit	Amount, when it is returned, what can be deducted	The most common source of disputes at move-out
Rent increase	Percentage or method on renewal	Prevents surprises
Lock-in and notice	Lock-in months and the notice each side must give	Protects both sides from sudden exits
Utilities and maintenance	Who pays electricity, water, society charges	Stops arguments over bills
Repairs and alterations	Who handles what, and no structural changes without consent	Keeps the property in the condition it was let
Subletting and use	Residential use only, named occupants, no subletting	Controls who actually lives there
Default and handover	What happens on non-payment and how possession is returned	Gives a clear exit path
Stamp duty and registration	Who pays them	Settles the cost question upfront
Fixtures list and meter readings	Items, condition, readings on the handover date	Makes deposit deductions factual

A sample to start from

This is how the opening and the first clauses of the downloadable format read. The full format has 20 clauses and three schedules.

Rent Agreement (Residential premises, 11 months)

This Rent Agreement is made at [city, state] on this [day] day of [month], [year], between [Landlord’s full name] (the “Landlord”) and [Tenant’s full name] (the “Tenant”).

1. Term. The tenancy begins on [start date] and ends on [end date], a period of 11 months. It can be renewed only by a fresh written agreement signed by both parties.

2. Rent. The monthly rent is ₹[amount], payable in advance on or before the [5th] day of every month by [bank transfer, UPI or cheque]. The tenant will keep proof of every payment.

3. Security deposit. The tenant has paid an interest-free refundable deposit of ₹[amount]. The landlord will refund it within [15] days of the tenant vacating, after deducting unpaid rent, unpaid utility dues and damage beyond normal wear and tear.

11 months or registered? It depends on your state

Under the Registration Act, 1908, a lease for more than one year, from year to year, or reserving a yearly rent has to be registered. An 11-month agreement stays below that line, which is why it became the default for residential lets.

That is the general rule, not the rule everywhere:

• Rajasthan has amended its law so that leases of any term are compulsorily registrable. Check the current position with your local sub-registrar before relying on 11 months.
• Maharashtra generally requires leave and licence agreements to be registered.
• Uttar Pradesh revised stamp duty and registration fees for rent agreements up to 10 years in October 2026. As reported on 20 October, annual rent up to ₹2 lakh attracts ₹1,000 stamp duty for an agreement of up to one year, and registration fees are charged at the same rates. Read the department’s notification for your slab before you pay.
• The Model Tenancy Act is only a model. It applies in a state only if that state adopts it, so the viral “new rent rules” posts are not a national law.

Why register anyway? A registered agreement is clearer proof of the tenure, rent and terms. It does not give you automatic eviction or recovery of unpaid rent. You still follow the legal process if there is a dispute.

Stamp paper: what to buy and who pays

A rent agreement should be on stamp paper of the value your state sets for it. The value depends on the state, the rent and the term. Most states now issue e-stamp paper online, so you can pay and download the certificate instead of visiting a vendor. You can read more on our e-stamp page.

Who pays the duty is something the two sides agree. Many agreements make the tenant pay it or split it equally. Write your choice into the agreement.

Finish the agreement in six steps

1. Download the format and fill in the highlighted brackets. Delete any clause you don’t need.
2. Check your state’s stamp value and registration rule for the rent and term you have chosen.
3. Print the final text on e-stamp or non-judicial stamp paper of the right value.
4. Both sides and two witnesses sign. Keep copies of ID and address proof.
5. Fill the fixtures list together and note the electricity and water meter readings.
6. Register the agreement if your state requires it, and share tenant details with the police where local rules ask for it.

Mistakes that cause trouble later

• Using a template without checking the state’s registration rule.
• Leaving the deposit refund date and deductions vague.
• Printing on plain paper and assuming it can be stamped afterwards.
• Skipping the fixtures list and meter readings.
• Not naming everyone who will live in the house.
• Keeping only a photo of the agreement instead of a signed original.

Prefer to have it done for you?

Fill in a short form and we prepare the draft, arrange the e-stamp paper, and help with notarisation or registration where you need it. You review everything before you sign.

Order your rent agreement

This page is general information, not legal advice. LegalParihar.in is an independent document platform and not a law firm. Rules on stamp duty, registration and tenancy differ by state and change often, so check the current rule for your state before you sign.