How to Make Rent Agreement (Simple, Practical, No Confusion)

How to make rent agreement is one of those things people delay.

Because it sounds legal. Heavy. Complicated.

It isn’t.

A rent agreement is just a written understanding between a landlord and a tenant.

Who stays. For how long. At what rent. That’s the heart of it.

Everything else is detail.

How to Make Rent Agreement (Step by Step)

This is the actual process people follow in India.

Nothing theoretical.

Step 1: Lock the Basics First

Before writing anything, agree on these:

• Monthly rent
• Security deposit (usually 1–3 months rent)
• Agreement duration (commonly 11 months)
• Notice period (usually 1 month)
• Rent payment date

If this isn’t clear, stop here.

Step 2: Choose Online or Offline

You have two options.

Online rent agreement (easiest):

• Fill details on a rent agreement website
• Upload ID proofs
• Pay online
• Get a signed PDF

Fast. Clean. No stamp paper hunt.

Offline rent agreement (traditional):

• Buy stamp paper
• Print agreement
• Sign physically
• Add witnesses

Works, but slower.

Step 3: Get Stamp Paper (Offline Only)

If you go offline:

• Visit a licensed stamp vendor
• Ask for rent agreement stamp paper
• Value depends on state rules

Don’t guess. Ask the vendor.

Step 4: Write the Agreement (Keep It Simple)

A basic rent agreement must include:

• Landlord and tenant names
• Property address
• Monthly rent amount
• Security deposit
• Agreement duration
• Notice period
• Who pays maintenance and bills

Short sentences work best.

Legal English is not required.

Step 5: Sign and Add Witnesses

Mandatory:

• Landlord signature
• Tenant signature
• Two witness signatures

No signatures = weak agreement.

Step 6: Registration (Only If Long-Term)

• Agreements up to 11 months usually don’t need registration
• Longer agreements must be registered

Check local rules once. That’s enough.

Documents You’ll Need

Tenant:

• Aadhaar
• PAN
• Photo

Landlord:

• Aadhaar
• Property proof
• Photo

Same for online and offline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• No agreement at all
• Verbal promises not written
• Unclear notice period
• Missing witness signatures

Feels small now. Hurts later.

Final Thought

A rent agreement isn’t about mistrust.

It’s about clarity. Clear rent. Clear rules. Clear exit.

Write it once. Relax for months.