Rent Agreements
Rent Agreement Format India: Free PDF Download (2026)
Published 10 April 2026 | Updated 13 March 2026 | 5 min read
Quick answer
A standard Indian rent agreement includes: names and addresses of landlord and tenant, property description and monthly rent, security deposit amount and refund terms, 11-month term (leave and license), notice period (typically 1–2 months), lock-in clause, maintenance responsibilities, and signatures on stamp paper. You can download a sample format below or generate a fully customised, e-stamped agreement with Aadhaar eSign using ProRently's online generator.
Mandatory clauses in a valid Indian rent agreement
A legally valid rent agreement in India must include certain minimum clauses to be enforceable and acceptable as address proof or in court proceedings. The following clauses are considered essential under Indian contract law and state tenancy acts.
- Parties: full name, address, and Aadhaar number of landlord and tenant
- Property: complete address, floor, flat number, and description
- Rent: monthly rent amount in words and figures, due date, payment method
- Security deposit: amount, interest terms, and refund timeline
- Term: start and end date (typically 11 months for leave and license)
- Notice period: minimum 30 days for either party to terminate
- Lock-in clause: period during which neither party can terminate (typically 6 months)
- Maintenance: who pays for minor repairs vs major structural repairs
- Prohibited uses: no subletting, no commercial use without consent
- Stamp and signatures: e-stamp paper with both parties' signatures
Leave and license vs lease: which format to use?
In India, almost all residential rent agreements use the leave and license format (not lease). A leave and license gives the tenant a personal right to occupy — it does not create any interest in the property. This makes it easier for landlords to recover possession. A lease, by contrast, transfers a property interest to the tenant and requires registration under the Registration Act for periods over 12 months. For any agreement of 11 months or less, leave and license format is standard and does not require mandatory registration.
Why a downloaded PDF format may not be enough
A plain PDF template does not by itself complete stamping, registration, or signing. ProRently provides a planning estimate and draft; users must verify the applicable government process, obtain the correct stamp, and complete execution independently.
- PDF on plain paper: not valid as address proof, not admissible in court
- PDF on wrong stamp value: deficient stamp, attracts 10x penalty if challenged
- Manual PDF with wrong clauses: unenforceable provisions may void protections
- ProRently generator: planning estimate, editable draft, and official portal links
How to make a rent agreement online in 10 minutes
ProRently's online generator creates an editable agreement draft and a planning estimate from the details entered. Users must independently verify the draft and complete applicable stamp duty, signing, notarisation, and registration steps before uploading the executed PDF for record keeping.
- Step 1: Enter property address and party details
- Step 2: Fill in rent, deposit, term, and optional clauses
- Step 3: Preview the draft agreement
- Step 4: Both parties sign via Aadhaar OTP from their own devices
- Step 5: Download completed e-stamped PDF (service fee: ₹199 + GST)
ProRently
Create your rent agreement online - free
Legally valid, Aadhaar-signed rent agreements in 15 minutes. Correct stamp duty for your state. Free to generate - pay Rs 199 + GST only when you download.
Get Started FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use a downloaded rent agreement PDF format in India?
You can use a template as a starting point, but the final agreement must be printed on e-stamp paper (not plain paper), signed by both parties, and have the correct stamp duty value for your state and rent amount. A plain paper printout is not legally valid as address proof or in court.
What is the stamp duty on a rent agreement in India?
Stamp duty varies by state. In Maharashtra, it is 0.25% of total rent + deposit for up to 5 years. In Karnataka, it is a flat ₹500 for agreements up to 11 months. In Delhi and UP, it ranges from ₹50 to ₹200. Use ProRently's stamp duty calculator for your state.
Does a rent agreement need to be registered in India?
Registration is mandatory only for agreements with a term of 12 months or more (under the Registration Act 1908). Agreements of 11 months or less are commonly left unregistered — they are still valid but less enforceable than registered ones.
Is an 11-month rent agreement valid without registration?
Yes. An 11-month leave and license agreement is legally valid without registration. It is not required to be stamped under Section 17 of the Registration Act for registration. However, it must be on stamp paper with the correct stamp duty value to be admissible as evidence.
What is the difference between a rent agreement and a lease deed?
A rent agreement (leave and license) gives the licensee a personal right to use property and does not create any interest in the property — making it easier to recover possession. A lease deed transfers a property interest to the lessee and requires compulsory registration if the term exceeds 12 months.