Rental Agreement — Tamil Nadu

This Rental Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into on [DATE] at [CITY], Tamil Nadu, between:

LANDLORD:
Name: [LANDLORD FULL NAME]
Address: [LANDLORD ADDRESS]
Aadhaar/PAN: [NUMBER]
(hereinafter referred to as the "Landlord")

AND

TENANT:
Name: [TENANT FULL NAME]
Address: [TENANT ADDRESS]
Aadhaar/PAN: [NUMBER]
(hereinafter referred to as the "Tenant")

The Landlord hereby lets out the following premises to the Tenant:

Address: [FULL PROPERTY ADDRESS]
Type: [Apartment / Independent House / Portion of House]
Floor: [FLOOR NUMBER]
Area: Approximately [AREA] sq. ft. (carpet area)
Furnishing: [Unfurnished / Semi-furnished / Fully furnished]

If furnished, the inventory of items is listed in Annexure A attached to this Agreement.

The tenancy shall commence on [START DATE] and end on [END DATE], for a total period of [11 MONTHS / DURATION].

This Agreement may be renewed by mutual written consent of both parties at least 30 days before the expiry date.

Note: If the lease period exceeds 11 months, this Agreement must be registered under the Registration Act, 1908.

Monthly Rent: ₹[AMOUNT] (Rupees [AMOUNT IN WORDS] only)
Due Date: On or before the [5th] of each month
Payment Mode: [Bank transfer / UPI / Cheque]
Account Details: [BANK NAME, ACCOUNT NUMBER, IFSC]

The first month's rent and security deposit shall be paid on the date of signing this Agreement.

The Tenant shall not withhold rent for any reason. Disputes, if any, shall be resolved separately.

The rent shall be revised only upon renewal of this Agreement, by mutual written consent.

Any increase shall not exceed 5% of the then-current rent per renewal cycle.

No mid-term rent increase shall be permissible unless both parties agree in writing.

Security Deposit: ₹[AMOUNT] (Rupees [AMOUNT IN WORDS] only)
This deposit is equivalent to [2-3] months' rent.

The deposit shall be refunded in full within 15 days of the Tenant vacating the premises and returning all keys, after deducting:
(a) Any unpaid rent
(b) Cost of repairing damage caused by the Tenant (beyond normal wear and tear)

No deduction shall be made for normal wear including minor wall marks, faded paint, or routine ageing of fixtures.

The Landlord shall provide an itemised list of any deductions along with supporting bills.

Both parties agree to a lock-in period of [3-6] months from the commencement date.

During the lock-in period, neither party may terminate this Agreement except by mutual written consent.

If the Tenant vacates during the lock-in period without the Landlord's consent, the Tenant shall forfeit a sum proportional to the remaining lock-in period (calculated on a pro-rata basis), up to a maximum of one month's rent.

If the Landlord terminates during the lock-in period without the Tenant's consent, the Landlord shall refund the full security deposit plus one month's rent as compensation.

After the lock-in period, either party may terminate this Agreement by providing [1-2] months' written notice to the other party.

Notice shall be delivered in writing (email, registered post, or hand-delivered with acknowledgment).

If the Tenant vacates without serving proper notice, the Landlord may deduct one month's rent from the security deposit.

If the Landlord requires the Tenant to vacate without proper notice, the Landlord shall pay one month's rent as compensation.

Landlord's Responsibility:
- Structural repairs (walls, roof, foundation, plumbing lines, electrical wiring)
- Major appliance repairs for items provided by the Landlord
- Society maintenance charges (unless otherwise agreed)

Tenant's Responsibility:
- Day-to-day maintenance (bulb replacements, tap washers, minor fixtures)
- Keeping the premises clean and in good condition
- Repairs for damage caused by the Tenant's negligence

Any repair costing more than ₹2,000 shall require the Landlord's prior written approval. If the Landlord fails to carry out necessary structural repairs within 15 days of written notice, the Tenant may carry out such repairs and deduct the cost from the next month's rent.

The Landlord or their representative may enter the premises only:
(a) With at least 24 hours' prior written notice to the Tenant
(b) At a mutually agreed time during reasonable hours (9 AM – 7 PM)
(c) For the purpose of inspection, repairs, or showing to prospective tenants (in the last month of tenancy)

The Landlord shall not enter the premises without the Tenant's consent, except in genuine emergencies (fire, gas leak, water flooding).

The premises shall be used solely for residential purposes by the Tenant and their immediate family members.

The Tenant shall not:
(a) Sub-let or assign the premises
(b) Use the premises for any commercial or illegal activity
(c) Make structural modifications without written consent

The Tenant may keep pets provided there is no disturbance to neighbours.

Upon termination of this Agreement:

(a) The Tenant shall vacate the premises and hand over all keys within the notice period
(b) The Tenant shall leave the premises in a clean, habitable condition (normal wear excepted)
(c) The Landlord and Tenant shall jointly inspect the premises on the date of vacating
(d) The Landlord shall refund the security deposit (less any agreed deductions) within 15 days of vacating

Any disputes regarding deductions shall be resolved through mutual discussion. If unresolved, either party may approach the Rent Authority or consumer forum.

Any disputes arising from this Agreement shall be resolved as follows:
(a) First, through mutual discussion and good-faith negotiation
(b) If unresolved, through mediation by a mutually agreed mediator
(c) If still unresolved, through the Rent Authority under the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants Act, 2017

The courts at [CITY], Tamil Nadu shall have jurisdiction over any legal proceedings.

(a) This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior discussions.
(b) Any modification to this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by both parties.
(c) If any clause is found unenforceable, the remaining clauses shall continue in full force.
(d) Both parties confirm they have read and understood all terms of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement on the date first written above.


LANDLORD                          TENANT
Name: _______________            Name: _______________
Signature: __________            Signature: __________
Date: _______________            Date: _______________


WITNESS 1                         WITNESS 2
Name: _______________            Name: _______________
Signature: __________            Signature: __________
Address: ____________            Address: ____________