LegalnotisLegal notices · Rent agreements · Under Indian law

Rent agreement format for landlords (owner-friendly)

For owners renting out a flat, including NRIs: rent on time, a lock-in, clear repair limits, no sub-letting, police verification and a proper inventory, while staying fair enough that a good tenant signs.

Draft my noticeRent agreement

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By Speed Post / R.P.A.D. and email

Legal Notice

Date: [DD Month YYYY]

From: Vikram Rao, 22 Ring Road, Koramangala, Bengaluru 560034

To: Mr. Ramesh Reddy, 14 2nd Cross, HSR Layout, Bengaluru 560102

Subject: Demand for refund of security deposit of ₹1,50,000 with interest, Flat 302, Sai Residency

Sir,

  1. I took the Flat on rent under an 11-month agreement dated 20 June 2023, renewed in 2024.
  2. On 18 June 2023 I paid you a security deposit of ₹1,50,000 by NEFT.
  3. I gave one month's written notice and vacated on 30 June 2025. No rent is due from me.
  4. You propose to deduct ₹60,000 for painting without any bill or proof of damage. Repainting after two years is normal wear and tear.

You are called upon to refund ₹1,50,000 with interest at 12% p.a. within 15 days of receiving this notice, failing which I shall initiate proceedings at your risk as to costs.

Vikram Rao

Your brief

Tell us what happened

Dates, amounts and what you've already tried. We check limitation and deadlines first, then draft. Missing details become [blanks] you fill in; nothing is invented.

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Legalnotis drafts documents from the information you give and general rules of Indian law. It is not a law firm, does not give legal advice and does not send or file anything for you. Time limits and forums can depend on your exact facts and state rules. For large amounts, criminal matters, property disputes or if a case has already been filed, have the draft reviewed by an advocate.

Renting?

Get the agreement right, and the deposit comes back

Most deposit fights start with a vague agreement. We write one for your state, covering stamp duty, registration, lock-in, notice period and the painting clause, or read the one you were handed and flag what to change before you sign.

Check an agreement before signing

Maharashtra leave and licence: stamp duty and registration estimate

Legalnotis estimate for Mumbai, Pune, Thane and the rest of Maharashtra, where every leave and licence agreement is registered.

Applied every 12 months; 0 if none.

Any premium or non-refundable deposit.

Total licence fee for 11 months
₹3,30,000
Notional interest on deposit (10% a year)
₹9,167
Stamp duty (0.25% of the total)
₹848
Registration fee
₹1,000

Estimate using Article 36A of the Maharashtra Stamp Act. The IGR Maharashtra leave and licence portal calculates the final amount (it may round it and adds a small document handling charge). Who pays stamp duty and the fee is for the two parties to agree.

Do I need to register my rent agreement?

Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nagpur)

Leave and licence agreements must be registered, whatever the term (Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, s.55).

Online on the IGR Maharashtra leave and licence portal with Aadhaar, or at the sub-registrar office.

Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Coimbatore)

Tenancy agreements must be in writing and registered with the Rent Authority (TN Regulation of Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants Act, 2017).

Online on tenancy.tn.gov.in.

Other states, term under 12 months

Registration is not compulsory under the Registration Act, 1908 (s.17, s.18), as long as rent is monthly, not a "yearly rent".

Stamp it correctly (e-stamp or stamp paper), sign with two witnesses. Notarising is optional.

Any state, term over one year

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

Sub-registrar office for the property's area; both parties and two witnesses attend with ID.

Stamp duty for other states depends on each state's Stamp Act. Use your state's e-stamp calculator (SHCIL or the state portal) or ask the sub-registrar for the exact amount.

8 clauses to check before you sign

  1. Deposit: refund within a fixed number of days of handing back the keys, not "after deductions".
  2. Deductions only for unpaid rent/bills and damage beyond normal wear and tear, each with a bill or photo.
  3. Painting and cleaning: one fixed rule written down (who pays, any cap, after how many months).
  4. Lock-in binds both sides, and the notice period is the same for both.
  5. Who pays society maintenance, electricity, water, gas and internet, and from which date.
  6. A rupee limit for minor repairs the tenant pays; anything above is the landlord's.
  7. Landlord visits only with 24 hours' notice; no entry without the tenant.
  8. Inventory and move-in condition record attached and signed by both.

Missing any? Choose "Check an agreement I was given" above and paste the text to get replacement wording.

Move-in condition checklist

Walk through the flat on move-in day with the landlord. Tick each item once checked and note any existing damage. Take date-stamped photos and send them to the landlord the same day - this is your proof at move-out.

Living room
Bedrooms
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Utility and other
0 of 24 checked

A real draft, start to finish

A real result from the example below, made with this tool. Shortened.

The brief: What is the notice about?: Security deposit not returned (rent) · What happened? Dates, amounts, agreement, what you've already tried: Rented a 2BHK at Flat 302, Sai Residency, 14 2nd Cross, HSR Layout, Bengaluru under an 11- · What do you want from them?: Refund of the full ₹1,50,000 with 12% simple interest from 15 July 2025, within 15 days · Your full name and address: Vikram Rao, 22 Ring Road,

1. Check before you send

  • Limitation: A civil suit to recover money must be filed within 3 years (Limitation Act 1963). Counting from 30 June 2025, the date you vacated, the last date is about 30 June 2028. You have plenty of time, but don't delay.
  • Warning: recipient's address. The flat (Flat 302, Sai Residency) is at 14 2nd Cross, HSR Layout. Confirm this is also Mr. Reddy's own residence or flat number. If he lives elsewhere, send the notice there too, and to his email or WhatsApp.
  • Warning: missing documents. You will need the 2024 renewal agreement and the clause number for the deposit. Fill in [clause no.]. Keep the NEFT reference (UTR) and the vacating video ready.
  • Interest: The agreement has no interest rate, so 12% p.a. simple interest is claimed as a reasonable rate. A court may award a different rate.
  • Deadline in the notice: 15 days from the date he receives it. Note that delivery date: [DD Month YYYY] + 15 days = [DD Month YYYY].
  • Nothing else looks wrong. This is a standard civil claim, and a lawyer is not essential at the notice stage.

2. The legal notice

LEGAL NOTICE By Speed Post / Registered Post A.D. and Email

Date: [DD Month YYYY]

From: Vikram Rao 22 Ring Road, Koramangala, Bengaluru 560034 Email: [email protected]

To: Mr. Ramesh Reddy 14 2nd Cross, HSR Layout, Bengaluru 560102

Subject: Demand for refund of security deposit of ₹1,50,000 with interest, Flat 302, Sai Residency, HSR Layout, Bengaluru

Sir,

  1. You are the owner and landlord of Flat 302, Sai Residency, 14 2nd Cross, HSR Layout, Bengaluru ("the Flat"). I was your tenant of the Flat.

  2. I took the Flat on rent under an 11-month rent agreement dated 20 June 2023, which was renewed in 2024 ("the Agreement").

  3. On 18 June 2023, I paid you a security deposit of ₹1,50,000 (Rupees One Lakh Fifty Thousand only) by NEFT, reference [UTR no.].

  4. Clause [clause no.] of the Agreement provides that the deposit is refundable when the tenant vacates. The only permitted deductions are unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear.

  5. On 30 May 2025, I gave you one month's written notice. I vacated the Flat on 30 June 2025 and handed over the keys. I recorded a video of the Flat's condition at handover. No rent is due from me.

  6. You have stated that you will deduct ₹60,000 for painting. You have not produced any bill, quotation or proof of damage. Repainting after more than two years of occupation is normal wear and tear and a routine cost of the owner. It is not deductible under the Agreement.

  7. I asked you for the refund by WhatsApp messages on 5 July 2025, 15 July 2025 and 28 July 2025. You read these messages but did not reply.

  8. All of the above is evidenced by Annexures A to F.

  9. Legal basis. The Agreement is a binding contract under the Indian Contract Act 1872. Holding back my deposit without any lawful deduction breaches its terms. You hold my money without any right to it, and you are liable to repay it with interest.

  10. Demand. I call upon you to pay me, within 15 days of receiving this notice:

    • (a) the principal of ₹1,50,000;
    • (b) simple interest at 12% per annum from 15 July 2025 until payment. This works out to ₹1,50,000 × 12% × days/365, or ₹49.32 per day. To [DD Month YYYY], that is [no. of days] days = ₹[amount];
    • (c) the cost of this notice, ₹[amount].

    Total as on [DD Month YYYY]: ₹[total] (Rupees [total in words] only), plus further interest until payment.

  11. Payment details. Pay to my account [bank account no. / IFSC / UPI ID of Vikram Rao].

  12. Bills for any deduction. If you claim any deduction, send me itemised bills and proof within the same 15 days. Any unexplained deduction will be disputed.

  13. Consequences. If you fail to pay, I will file a civil suit for recovery of the amount with interest and costs before the competent court at Bengaluru, entirely at your risk as to costs. I may also pursue mediation or Lok Adalat.

  14. I reserve all my other rights and remedies.

Place: Bengaluru Date: [DD Month YYYY]

Sd/- Vikram Rao

3. Documents to attach (annexures)

Attach self-attested copies only. Never send originals.

  • Annexure A: Rent agreement dated 20 June 2023
  • Annexure B: 2024 renewal agreement
  • Annexure C: NEFT proof of ₹1,50,000 dated 18 June 2023
  • Annexure D: Written vacating notice dated 30 May 2025
  • Annexure E: Screenshots and key frames of the handover video from 30 June 2025, plus proof that the keys were handed over
  • Annexure F: WhatsApp screenshots from 5 July, 15 July and 28 July 2025 showing the messages as read
  • Annexure G (optional): Rent payment records showing no dues

4. How to send it

  • Send by Speed Post or Registered Post A.D. to every address you have for Mr. Reddy. Keep the receipt and track the delivery.
  • On the same day, send it by email and WhatsApp as a PDF. Keep screenshots.
  • Keep a signed copy for yourself, with the postal receipts.
  • Note the delivery date. The 15 days run from the date he receives the notice.

5. If they don't pay or reply

  1. Wait 15 days from receipt (until [DD Month YYYY]). Keep track of any reply.
  2. If he pays only part of the amount, accept it "under protest" in writing and claim the balance.
  3. Try mediation or Lok Adalat through the Bengaluru Urban District Legal Services Authority. This is cheap and fast for an amount of this size.
  4. File a civil suit for recovery before the competent civil court in Bengaluru, before 30 June 2028. A lawyer is advisable for the suit, but not essential up to this point.
  5. If he raises damage claims, rely on the handover video and his failure to produce bills.

A reply denying your claim is common and does not weaken a well-documented claim like yours.

6. Short message to send with it

Dear Mr. Reddy, please find attached a legal notice regarding the refund of my security deposit of ₹1,50,000 for Flat 302, Sai Residency. A copy has also been sent by Speed Post. I request that you settle the amount within 15 days as set out in the notice. — Vikram Rao

Legalnotis, an advocate, or a template off the internet

LegalnotisFree templatesGeneral AI chatbotAdvocate / online legal service
Notice written for your factsYesNo, fill-in-the-blanksYesYes
Right Act and section for your issueBuilt in for 10 common issuesOften genericHit and missYes
Checks your deadlines first (S.138, limitation)Yes, with datesNoRarelyUsually
Interest calculation and annexure listYesNoSometimesUsually
What to do if ignored, with forum and dateYesNoGenericOften as a separate fee
Legal judgement on a complex caseNo - see an advocateNoNoYes
Time to a sendable draftMinutesAn hour of editingMinutes plus checkingUsually 2-5 days
PriceFirst notice free, then ₹149 / $3 per noticeFreeFree / subscriptionUsually ₹1,500-₹7,500 per notice

Pay per document. Nothing renews.

Most money disputes in India end the moment a proper legal notice arrives: the right Act and sections, a clear demand and a deadline. Lawyers charge ₹1,500-5,000 to send one, and a badly worded notice (wrong section, missed limitation, no cheque-bounce timeline) can sink a later case. Rent agreements have the same trap: copy-paste formats miss your state's stamp duty, registration and lock-in rules, and tenants sign clauses they never read.

  • Legal notices for recovery of money, security deposit, unpaid salary, defective goods and cheque bounce (Section 138 NI Act)
  • Limitation and cheque-bounce deadlines checked from your dates
  • Rent and leave-and-licence agreements written for your state, with stamp duty and registration notes
  • Check an agreement you were given: risky clauses explained in plain words, with fairer wording
  • Print-ready format; send it yourself or have a lawyer sign it
  • Drafts in English or Hindi

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Before you send it

Do I need a lawyer to send a legal notice in India?

No. Anyone can send a legal notice in their own name; no law requires an advocate. A notice on an advocate's letterhead can carry more weight, so choose 'An advocate' and Legalnotis drafts it in their voice for them to review and sign. For large amounts, criminal matters, property disputes, or if the other side has already gone to court, have an advocate handle it.

What is the time limit for a cheque bounce notice under Section 138?

The notice must be sent within 30 days of receiving the bank's return memo. The drawer then has 15 days from receiving the notice to pay. If they don't, the complaint must be filed before the Magistrate within one month after those 15 days end. The cheque itself must have been presented within 3 months of its date. Use the deadline calculator on this page to get the exact dates.

How many days should I give in a legal notice?

For a cheque bounce notice the law fixes it at 15 days from receipt. For other claims there is no fixed period; 15 days is common and generally seen as reasonable, 30 days for larger or more complex demands. Before suing the Government or a public officer, Section 80 CPC requires 2 months' notice.

Can I send a legal notice by email or WhatsApp?

Courts have accepted email and WhatsApp service in several cases (the Allahabad High Court held this for Section 138 notices in 2024), but the safest practice is Speed Post or Registered Post A.D. to the physical address plus email the same day. Keep the postal receipt, tracking proof and screenshots.

What happens if they ignore the notice?

The notice is your proof that you gave them a fair chance. Next steps depend on the claim: a cheque bounce complaint before the Magistrate, a consumer complaint on e-Jagriti, a reference to the MSME Facilitation Council through Samadhaan, a RERA complaint, a Labour Department complaint for wages, or a civil recovery suit. Every draft ends with the right next step and the date to act by.

Can I claim interest in a legal notice?

Yes. Use the rate in your agreement if there is one. Micro and small enterprises are entitled by law (MSMED Act S.16) to compound interest at three times the RBI bank rate on delayed payments. Otherwise claim a reasonable rate; the court decides the final rate. The interest calculator on this page shows the amount.

Is a legal notice compulsory before going to court?

It is compulsory for cheque bounce (Section 138) and for suits against the Government (Section 80 CPC), and commercial disputes of ₹3 lakh or more usually need pre-institution mediation first. For most other claims it is not compulsory, but it is strongly advisable: it often settles the matter and shows the court you acted reasonably.

How is this different from a free template or ChatGPT?

Templates are generic and chatbots often cite the wrong section or miss deadlines. Legalnotis is built around Indian notice practice: it checks your time limits first, applies the specific Act for your issue, uses placeholders instead of inventing facts, lists the annexures to attach, and gives you the escalation route with dates. It does not replace an advocate's advice on your case.

How much does it cost?

Your first notice each day is free. After that, ₹149 / $3 buys one notice with up to 3 revisions (change the tone, add facts, switch to an advocate's letterhead, translate). Postage and any advocate's fee for signing are separate.

Why are most rent agreements for 11 months?

Under the Registration Act, 1908, a lease for more than one year (or one that reserves a yearly rent) must be registered at the sub-registrar office, which costs more and needs both parties to attend. An 11-month agreement with monthly rent does not have to be registered in most states. Two exceptions: in Maharashtra every leave and licence agreement must be registered whatever the term, and in Tamil Nadu tenancy agreements must be registered with the Rent Authority under the 2017 tenancy Act.

Is a rent agreement drafted here legally valid?

The draft becomes a binding agreement once it is printed on (or attached to) stamp paper or an e-stamp certificate of the right value for your state, signed by both parties and two witnesses, and registered where your state requires it. The page tells you those steps for your state. We do not stamp, e-sign or register for you, and we are not a law firm, so for unusual or high-value situations have a local advocate look at it.

How much stamp duty do I pay on a rent agreement?

It depends on the state's Stamp Act and is usually a percentage of the rent for the term, sometimes including the deposit. For Maharashtra leave and licence agreements it is 0.25% of the total licence fee plus notional 10% a year interest on the refundable deposit, and the calculator on this page estimates it. For other states, use the state's e-stamp calculator (SHCIL or the state portal) or ask the stamp vendor; rules and rates change, so we do not guess them.

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