It is always a good practice to get rent receipts especially if you are paying rent in cash. Taking rent receipts can have advantages such as claiming tax exemption while filing your return (if you are eligible), using it as evidence if a dispute arises from the rent agreement, etc.
Theme: Money & Property
Are online transfer receipts proof of payment of rent?
If you have paid your rent online, i.e. through a bank transfer, the receipt of the bank transfer would not be counted as a rent receipt. It will only be a proof of your online transaction.
If I want to use my rented premises to start a business, do I have to inform my landlord?
You have to take the permission of the landlord if you have rented a premise for residential purpose but intend to use it for business or commercial purposes. However, if you have rented it specifically for business purposes and the same is mentioned in your agreement, then you do not need to inform the landlord/licensor.
I am going to travel for 3 months. Can I sublet my rented apartment to someone else for those 3 months?
No, you cannot sublet your rented premises to anyone, unless you have the express consent of the landlord. If you sublet without taking the permission of your landlord, you may be evicted.
What will happen if I do not give my landlord notice before leaving the rented house?
The notice period is given in your agreement. If you do not provide the required amount of notice before leaving the house, the landlord/licensor can deduct an amount from the security deposit, which will be equivalent to the notice period. For example, if your notice period was one month and you informed the landlord that you would be leaving in one week, he can deduct three weeks worth of rent from your security deposit.
The property I want to rent is jointly owned by 2 people. Do both of them have to be present at the sub-registrar or registrar’s office during registration?
Yes, both the property owners have to be present to register the written agreement along with you and two witnesses.
Is the responsibility of doing repairs in the rented house solely mine or only the landlord’s/licensor’s?
The responsibility to do the major repairs in the house are usually with the landlord/licensor and minor repairs are usually with the tenant. Usually, the assignment of responsibilities for undertaking repairs in written in the agreement.
What is the purpose of having receipts and copies of all the renting documents?
After you have signed your rent agreement, try to ask for the following receipts:
- Rent Receipts
- Security Deposit
- Brokerage
These receipts will be helpful to show the record of money exchanged between you and the landlord/broker and for tax filing and House Rent Allowance (HRA) reimbursement purposes.
It is important to have copies of the following:
- Rent/Lease/Leave and License agreement.
- Police Verification form
- Bill for utilities such as electricity, water etc.
Having copies allows you to use them as proof if you had to go to court, or as residence proof, proof of payment of expenses with the landlord etc.
Can the landlord increase my rent?
Your landlord can increase your rent at the end of your lease, but not in between. However, if it is a month-by-month lease, the landlord can give you a notice at any point and increase the rent from the following month.
During the police verification process done by a landlord, while I am renting a house, can the police come search my house?
No, if the police are coming to your house for the verification, it means that they are verifying your identity and the details you have given in the form. They will check the address and might possibly even come to your house, but they do not have a right to go around the house and inspect it.