Creating a rent agreement used to mean running to a broker, finding a notary, standing in government queues, and hoping every clause was correct. In 2026, you can do the entire process online in under 10 minutes — legally valid, notarized, delivered to your door.
This guide covers everything: what a rent agreement is, what documents you need, how stamp duty works, and exactly what the 6-step process looks like — for Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kolhapur) and Karnataka (Bangalore).
Quick answer: You need both parties' Aadhaar cards + photos + property address. Fill the form online, pay stamp duty + service fee (from ₹999), and your notarized agreement PDF arrives within hours. Physical copies delivered in 1–2 days.
What Is a Rent Agreement?
A rent agreement (also called a rental agreement or tenancy agreement) is a legal contract between a landlord and tenant that defines the terms of occupying a property. In India, there are two main formats:
Leave & License Agreement
- Preferred format in Maharashtra
- Landlord grants "license to occupy"
- Easier to reclaim possession
- 11-month tenure typical
- Notarized (no Sub-Registrar needed)
- Governed by Maharashtra Rent Control Act 1999
Rental / Lease Agreement
- Creates a tenancy right for tenant
- Harder to terminate early
- Required for 12+ month periods
- Must be registered at Sub-Registrar
- Higher stamp duty
- Used for long-term commercial leases
For most residential rentals across India, a Leave & License agreement for 11 months is standard. This avoids mandatory Sub-Registrar registration and is fully enforceable in court.
Documents Required to Make a Rent Agreement
You need just 4 types of documents — collecting these takes 5 minutes if you have them on your phone:
Navi Mumbai (CIDCO properties): If the property is a CIDCO-allotted flat, also keep the CIDCO allotment letter or share certificate handy — required by some Sub-Registrar offices for verification.
Optional but Recommended
- Property tax receipt — confirms landlord's ownership
- Society NOC — some housing societies require prior approval for tenancy
- Electricity bill — to verify the property address
- PAN card — if monthly rent exceeds ₹50,000 (TDS applicability)
How to Make a Rent Agreement — 6 Steps
Gather your documents
Collect Aadhaar cards (photo/scan) of both tenant and landlord, one passport-size photo each, and the full property address. This is all you need.
Fill agreement details
Decide and enter: monthly rent amount, security deposit amount, agreement start date, tenure (11 months is standard), lock-in period, notice period, and any special conditions such as parking, pets, or maintenance terms.
Stamp duty is auto-calculated
Based on your city and rent amount, the exact stamp duty is calculated automatically:
- Maharashtra: 0.25% × (rent × tenure months + deposit)
- Karnataka (Bangalore): ₹500 flat for 11-month agreements
Review your complete draft
Read every clause before confirming. Our legal team ensures all standard protections are included — lock-in period, escalation clause, maintenance responsibility, subletting prohibition, and property condition acknowledgement.
Pay online
UPI, credit/debit card, or net banking. The payment covers stamp duty + notarization + our service fee. No hidden charges. No extra fees at delivery.
Receive your agreement
PDF sent instantly on WhatsApp and email. Physical copies printed on stamp paper and delivered to your address within 1–2 business days. Both parties get copies.
Start Your Agreement Right Now
Takes 10 minutes. Legally valid. Delivered to your door. Starting ₹999.
Stamp Duty for Rent Agreement in Maharashtra
Stamp duty is a government tax on legal documents. For rent agreements in Maharashtra, the formula is:
Maharashtra Stamp Duty Formula: 0.25% × (Monthly Rent × Number of Months + Security Deposit)
Minimum stamp duty: ₹100. Government registration fee: ₹1,000 (for registered agreements).
| Monthly Rent | Security Deposit | Tenure | Stamp Duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹10,000 | ₹20,000 | 11 months | ₹325 |
| ₹15,000 | ₹30,000 | 11 months | ₹488 |
| ₹20,000 | ₹40,000 | 11 months | ₹650 |
| ₹30,000 | ₹60,000 | 11 months | ₹975 |
| ₹50,000 | ₹1,00,000 | 11 months | ₹1,625 |
| ₹80,000 | ₹1,60,000 | 11 months | ₹2,600 |
Use our free stamp duty calculator to get your exact amount in seconds.
Stamp Duty for Rent Agreement in Karnataka (Bangalore)
Karnataka follows a simpler structure under the Karnataka Stamp Act:
| Agreement Duration | Stamp Duty | Registration Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 11 months | ₹500 (e-stamp) | No — notarized only |
| 12 months to 5 years | 0.5% of total rent | Yes — Sub-Registrar |
| 5 years to 10 years | 1% of total rent | Yes — Sub-Registrar |
For Bangalore: an 11-month agreement needs only e-stamp (₹500) — no Sub-Registrar visit required.
Essential Clauses Every Rent Agreement Must Have
These are the clauses that prevent disputes. Without them, your agreement may not protect you in court:
- Rent amount and due date — exact monthly amount, due date (e.g., 5th of every month), and late payment penalty
- Security deposit — exact amount and conditions for deduction / refund timeline
- Lock-in period — minimum period (typically 3 months) before either party can exit. Without this, a tenant can vacate in week one.
- Notice period — 1–2 months advance notice before vacating. Prevents sudden eviction or vacancy.
- Rent escalation clause — specify the renewal rent increase (e.g., "5% on renewal"). Without this, it's open to dispute.
- Maintenance responsibility — who pays for minor repairs vs. major repairs? Society maintenance?
- Utility bills — electricity, water, gas: who pays, how are meter readings documented?
- Subletting prohibition — tenant cannot sublet to another person without written consent
- Property condition at handover — document existing damage to prevent security deposit disputes at move-out
- Number of occupants — specify who will live in the property to avoid unauthorized occupancy
AgreementDesk includes all these clauses as standard in every agreement — drafted correctly under the applicable state law. You don't need to check a list; we've handled 10,000+ agreements and know exactly what protects both sides.
Notarized vs. Registered: Which Do You Need?
Notarized Agreement
- Notary stamp + signature on the document
- Valid for 11-month Leave & License
- No Sub-Registrar visit needed
- Done online — faster and cheaper
- Fully enforceable in court
- Standard in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore for residential
Registered Agreement
- Registered at Sub-Registrar's office
- Required for 12+ month agreements
- Both parties must be present physically
- More expensive (govt fees + Sub-Registrar fee)
- Stronger legal protection
- Required for commercial / long-term leases
For most residential rentals: a notarized 11-month Leave & License is all you need. It is legally valid, courts accept it, and police accept it for tenant verification.
Police Intimation / Tenant Verification
After the rent agreement is signed, landlords in Maharashtra must complete police tenant verification:
- Submit Form C to the local police station (in person or via the Maharashtra Police online portal)
- Deadline: within 24 hours of the tenant taking possession
- Documents needed: copy of agreement + tenant Aadhaar + tenant photo
- Failure to comply: fine up to ₹1,000 for landlord
This is not optional. Mumbai and Pune police regularly send notices to landlords who skip tenant verification. AgreementDesk provides the police intimation letter format as part of our service — download it free here.
Power of Attorney (POA) for Rent Agreements
If the landlord cannot be physically present to sign the agreement (NRI landlord, or living in another city), a Power of Attorney lets someone else sign on their behalf:
- POA must be notarized or registered (depending on requirement)
- The POA holder must carry the original POA document when signing
- POA should specifically mention authority to execute rent agreements for the specific property
- NRI landlords: POA executed abroad must be attested by the Indian Consulate/Embassy
AgreementDesk provides a ready-to-use POA draft format — fill in the details and get it notarized locally.
How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Fill online form | 5–10 minutes |
| PDF agreement delivered | Within a few hours (same day) |
| Physical stamp paper delivery | 1–2 business days (doorstep) |
| Police verification | 1–3 days (parallel — can be done while waiting for physical copy) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Create Your Rent Agreement?
Select your city and get started — takes 10 minutes, legally valid, delivered to your door.
Related Guides
- Why 11-Month Rent Agreements? The Legal Reason Explained
- Stamp Duty on Rent Agreements in Maharashtra — Full Guide
- Notarized vs. Registered Rent Agreement — Which Should You Choose?
- Complete Document Checklist for Rent Agreement
- Police Intimation & Tenant Verification — How It Works
- Free Rent Agreement Format Downloads (Leave & License, POA, Police Intimation)