When Is a Lease Required to Be Registered: Frequently Asked Questions in Delhi

Where the property or matter is in Delhi, the following is general information on common questions on when is a lease required to be registered for someone in Delhi.

Before the frequently asked questions

Under s.17(1)(d) of the Registration Act 1908, a lease from year to year, for a term exceeding one year, or reserving a yearly rent, must be registered.

As a general rule, an unregistered lease that should have been registered generally cannot be used as evidence of its own terms in a dispute, which is why many 11-month leave-and-licence agreements are used instead of a registered lease.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register a rental agreement?

If the lease is for more than one year, or is from year to year, or reserves a yearly rent, s.17(1)(d) of the Registration Act requires registration. Shorter leave-and-licence agreements are often used specifically to avoid this requirement.

Relevant forums in Delhi

• The High Court with jurisdiction is Delhi High Court.
• Matters at the district level are generally handled at the district court complex for your area (Tis Hazari, Karkardooma, Patiala House, Rohini, Saket, Dwarka, or Rouse Avenue).
• The applicable rent law is the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958 (for premises renting at or below ₹3,500/month).
• Registration is handled through the Delhi Revenue Department's NGDRS portal.

For a fuller explanation, see Is There a National Rent Law in India? The Model Tenancy Act, Explained and The Delhi Rent Control Act's ₹3,500 Exclusion: What It Means.

If you would like this looked at against your own facts, a consultation is a reasonable next step.

This page is general information about the law in India and is not legal advice. The position can vary with the facts, so it is worth getting advice on your specific situation.