Rental Agreement Format for House in Chennai

RESIDENTIAL LEASE DEED

Document Control: RAD-CHN-2024.v1
Effective Date: [Effective Date]
Jurisdiction: State of Tamil Nadu, India (Subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Chennai)

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OFFICIAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER

This Residential Lease Deed is a legal template drafted in accordance with applicable laws of the State of Tamil Nadu, including the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants Act, 2017. Parties acknowledge that legal counsel has been made available to them, and execution of this document implies full comprehension of its binding legal and financial liabilities. Both Parties are advised to register this instrument pursuant to the Registration Act, 1908, and file the requisite tenancy agreement intimation with the relevant Rent Authority.

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PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

This Residential Lease Deed (the "Agreement") is entered into on this [Day] day of [Month], [Year], by and between:

1. THE LESSOR (Landlord): [Full Legal Name of Landlord], S/o / W/o [Father's/Spouse's Name], residing at [Permanent Address of Landlord], hereinafter referred to as the "Lessor" (which expression shall unless repugnant to the context include its successors, legal representatives, and assigns) of the FIRST PART;

AND

2. THE LESSEE (Tenant): [Full Legal Name of Tenant], S/o / W/o [Father's/Spouse's Name], currently residing at [Permanent/Current Address of Tenant], hereinafter referred to as the "Lessee" (which expression shall unless repugnant to the context include its successors, legal representatives, and assigns) of the SECOND PART.

(The Lessor and Lessee shall hereinafter collectively be referred to as the "Parties" and individually as a "Party").

SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY:
All that residential property bearing Door/Flat No. [Flat/Door Number], [Building/Apartment Name], situated at [Street Name, Area, Locality], Chennai, Tamil Nadu - [Pincode], comprising [Number] bedrooms, [Number] bathrooms, living/dining area, and kitchen, along with designated vehicle parking slot no. [Parking Slot Number], hereinafter referred to as the "Scheduled Premises".

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OPERATIVE CLAUSES & TERMS

1. TERM OF LEASE

1.1 The Lessor hereby grants and the Lessee takes on lease the Scheduled Premises for a total term of [Number] months, commencing from [Lease Start Date] and expiring on [Lease Expiry Date] (the "Lease Term").
1.2 Upon expiration of the Lease Term, this Agreement shall automatically terminate unless renewed by mutual written consent of both Parties executed at least thirty (30) days prior to expiration, subject to a mutually agreed revision in Monthly Rent pursuant to Clause 3.

2. RENT AND PAYMENT TERMS

2.1 The Lessee shall pay to the Lessor a monthly rent of INR [Monthly Rent Amount] ([Rent Amount in Words]) (the "Monthly Rent").
2.2 The Monthly Rent shall be paid strictly in advance on or before the [Day, e.g., 5th] day of each calendar month via electronic bank transfer to the Lessor's designated bank account:

• Bank Name: [Bank Name]
• Account Holder Name: [Account Name]
• Account Number: [Account Number]
• IFSC Code: [IFSC Code]

2.3 Any delay in payment of the Monthly Rent beyond the stipulated due date shall attract a late fee penalty of [Percentage, e.g., 2%] per month on the overdue amount, calculated on a pro-rata daily basis, without prejudice to the Lessor’s right to initiate eviction proceedings for chronic default.

3. SECURITY DEPOSIT

3.1 Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the Lessee shall deposit with the Lessor an interest-free refundable Security Deposit of INR [Security Deposit Amount] ([Deposit Amount in Words]) via [Payment Mode/Reference Number].
3.2 The Security Deposit shall be held by the Lessor during the entire Lease Term and any extension thereof without carrying any interest.
3.3 The Security Deposit shall be refunded to the Lessee within fourteen (14) business days following the peaceful vacation and handover of vacant possession of the Scheduled Premises, subject to the deduction of:

• Outstanding utility bills (Electricity, Water, Maintenance);
• Costs for repair of any structural or non-structural damages beyond normal wear and tear;
• Unpaid Monthly Rent or late penalties.

4. MAINTENANCE, UTILITIES, AND CHARGES

4.1 The Monthly Rent [Includes / Excludes] the monthly society/apartment maintenance charges amounting to INR [Maintenance Amount] per month. If excluded, the Lessee shall pay the same directly to the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) / Maintenance Office on or before the due date.
4.2 The Lessee shall bear and promptly pay all utility charges for electricity and water consumed on the Scheduled Premises based on actual meter readings throughout the Lease Term. Copies of paid utility bills shall be furnished to the Lessor upon request.

5. USE OF SCHEDULED PREMISES

5.1 The Scheduled Premises shall be used exclusively for residential purposes by the Lessee and the immediate family members declared herein ([List Names of Occupants]).
5.2 The Lessee shall not use, or permit to be used, the Scheduled Premises for any commercial, illegal, immoral, or hazardous activities, nor sublet, assign, or part with possession of the Scheduled Premises or any part thereof to any third party.
5.3 The Lessee shall comply strictly with all bye-laws, rules, and regulations of the local apartment association, municipal corporation, and State/Central laws applicable within Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

6. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, AND ALTERATIONS

6.1 The Lessor warrants that the Scheduled Premises is in habitable, tenantable condition at the commencement of this Lease.
6.2 Minor repairs up to an individual cost of INR [Threshold Amount, e.g., 2,000] per instance shall be borne entirely by the Lessee. Structural repairs, waterproofing, and major plumbing/electrical infrastructural failures shall be the responsibility of the Lessor.
6.3 The Lessee shall not make any structural alterations, additions, or modifications to the Scheduled Premises without obtaining prior written consent from the Lessor.

7. INSPECTION AND ACCESS

7.1 The Lessor, or the Lessor's authorized agent, reserves the right to enter and inspect the Scheduled Premises upon giving prior notice of at least twenty-four (24) hours to the Lessee, at reasonable daylight hours, to ascertain compliance with the terms of this Agreement or to execute necessary structural repairs.

8. TERMINATION AND NOTICE

8.1 Either Party may terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Lease Term by issuing a written notice of [Number, e.g., 2] months to the other Party, or by payment of rent in lieu of such notice period.
8.2 The Lessor reserves the right to terminate this Agreement with immediate effect via written notice if:

• The Lessee defaults in payment of Monthly Rent for two (2) consecutive months;
• The Lessee uses the Scheduled Premises for illegal or unauthorized purposes;
• The Lessee breaches any fundamental covenants of this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within fifteen (15) days of receiving written notice from the Lessor.

9. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

9.1 This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of India and the statutory framework applicable in the State of Tamil Nadu.
9.2 Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall first be resolved through good-faith amicable negotiations between the Parties. If unresolved within thirty (30) days, the dispute shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent civil courts located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

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SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Residential Lease Deed through their authorized signatories as of the Effective Date written above.

LESSOR (Landlord):
Signature: _____________________________________
Name: [Full Legal Name of Landlord]
Date: [Date]

LESSEE (Tenant):
Signature: _____________________________________
Name: [Full Legal Name of Tenant]
Date: [Date]

WITNESS 1:
Signature: _____________________________________
Name: [Witness 1 Full Name]
Address: [Witness 1 Address]

WITNESS 2:
Signature: _____________________________________
Name: [Witness 2 Full Name]
Address: [Witness 2 Address]

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STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Stamp Duty & Notarization: Purchase non-judicial stamp paper of appropriate value as mandated by the Tamil Nadu Stamp Act (typically calculated based on average annual rent and security deposit for leases under 11 months). Print the final terms onto the stamp paper or affix it to the execution document.
2. Registration Requirement: For leases exceeding a term of eleven (11) months, mandatory registration must be completed at the office of the jurisdictional Sub-Registrar in Chennai pursuant to the Registration Act, 1908, along with payment of requisite registration fees and stamp duty.
3. Execution & Witnesses: Ensure both Parties, along with two independent adult witnesses, sign all pages of the Agreement and complete the execution block above.
4. Statutory Filing: File the tenancy agreement details or intimation form with the designated Rent Authority under the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants Act, 2017, within the prescribed statutory timeframe to ensure full legal enforceability.