Rental guides

Delhi rental guide

Stamp duty, registration, deposit norms and agreement practice — free.

Last verified: October 2026 · Rates change — verify at the sub-registrar before paying.

Stamp duty basis

2% of average annual rent (11-month agreements: ~₹100 flat stamp duty in practice)

Registration

No (11-month); yes above 11 months · 11-month: usually notarized only (registered = stronger in court)

Deposit norm

2 months (norm)

Agreement + police

11-month notarized common; registered carries more weight · Tenant verification effectively mandatory in practice (Delhi Police)

Figures are commonly-cited ranges with a verify badge — confirm the current schedule at the sub-registrar/portal before paying a rupee.

Renting in Delhi: law, portal and real costs

Rent law: Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958

  • The Act's protection applies only to premises with monthly rent up to ₹3,500, so most modern tenancies are governed by the agreement itself.
  • Agreements above 11 months must be registered; 11-month agreements are usually notarised on e-stamp paper.

Registration / e-stamp portal

e-Stamp (SHCIL) and Delhi revenue department sub-registrar — shcilestamp.com

Worked stamp-duty example

Rent ₹20,000 a month on an 11-month notarised agreement: most people buy e-stamp paper of ₹50–₹100. For a registered 3-year lease, duty is 2% of average annual rent — ₹2,40,000 × 2% = ₹4,800, plus registration fee.

Typical monthly rents

City1 BHK2 BHK
South / West Delhi₹15,000 – ₹30,000₹25,000 – ₹50,000
East / North Delhi₹10,000 – ₹20,000₹16,000 – ₹32,000

Indicative ranges from typical listings; actual rent depends on locality, furnishing and society.

Local tips

  • Tenant police verification is required in Delhi — landlords can do it on the Delhi Police website or app.
  • Because the Rent Control Act rarely applies, your agreement's notice period and deposit clauses are what protect you.

More Delhi renting questions

Does the Delhi Rent Control Act protect my tenancy?

Only if your rent is ₹3,500 a month or less. Most tenancies are above this, so your written agreement decides your rights.

Is police verification of tenants mandatory in Delhi?

Yes. Landlords must get tenants verified, and it can be done online through the Delhi Police portal or app.

What stamp paper is used for an 11-month agreement in Delhi?

Usually e-stamp paper of ₹50–₹100 from SHCIL or an authorised vendor, followed by notarisation.

Last reviewed 2026-10-30. Stamp duty schedules change — confirm on the official portal before paying.

Delhi questions

Delhi me stamp duty kitni lagti hai? / What is stamp duty in Delhi?
2% of average annual rent (11-month agreements: ~₹100 flat stamp duty in practice). Use the calculator with your rent and deposit for an estimate — then verify at the sub-registrar before paying.
Delhi me registration compulsory hai? / Is registration compulsory in Delhi?
No (11-month); yes above 11 months
Delhi me deposit kitna normal hai? / What deposit is normal in Delhi?
2 months (norm). Get refund conditions and timeline in writing — 'will adjust later' is how deposits die.

Also useful

Rent agreement register karna zaroori hai? / Is registration compulsory?
Above 11 months: YES, PAN-India (Registration Act). 11-month: optional in most states (notarized works, registered is stronger) — EXCEPT Maharashtra, where registration is compulsory at ANY term. Rajasthan needs Rent Authority registration instead.
11 month agreement kyu hota hai? / Why is everything 11 months?
To stay under the 12-month compulsory-registration threshold in most states — saving registration cost and office visits. In Maharashtra this logic fails: registration is still mandatory.
Maharashtra me stamp duty kaise nikalti hai? / How is Maharashtra stamp duty calculated?
Article 36A: 0.25% of (total rent for the term + non-refundable deposit + 10% p.a. interest on refundable deposit) + ₹1,000 urban / ₹500 rural registration (+ e-filing/service charges). Example: ₹15,000 × 11 mo + ₹50,000 deposit ≈ ₹1,700 all-in urban (duty ≈₹400 + registration + charges).
Stamp duty kaun bharta hai? / Who pays stamp duty?
In absence of contrary agreement, the LESSEE (tenant) pays (Sec 29(c) Indian Stamp Act) — but most agreements split or assign it explicitly. Whatever it says in writing wins, so read that clause.
Notary vs registered agreement? / Notarized or registered — which is better?
Registered always wins in court. Notarized 11-month agreements are the common compromise (cheap, fast). For multi-year stays or high deposits, pay for registration.
E-stamp paper kya hai? / What is e-stamp paper?
Electronic stamp duty payment (SHCIL / state portals like Kaveri, IGR) replacing physical stamp paper in most states. Keep the e-stamp certificate with the agreement — it IS the duty proof.
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