FOR THE ATTENTION OF LANDLORS & TENANTS FROM JULY 1, 2025, EVERY RENTAL OR LEASE AGREEMENT MUST HAVE DIGITAL STAMPING + REGISTRATION — OR YOU COULD FACE PENALTIES UP TO ₹5,000!

 FOR THE  ATTENTION OF LANDLORS & TENANTS

FROM JULY 1, 2025, EVERY RENTAL OR LEASE

 AGREEMENT MUST HAVE DIGITAL STAMPING +

 REGISTRATION — OR YOU COULD FACE

 PENALTIES UP TO ₹5,000!

Renting a house without a registered agreement is no longer safe or valid.

From July 1, 2025, every rent deal must have digital stamping + registration — or you could face penalties up to ₹5,000!

WHAT THE NEW RULE SAYS

MANDATORY DIGITAL STAMPING FROM JULY 1, 2025

As of July 1, 2025, all new rental agreements (residential & commercial) must be digitally stamped via authorized online/e-stamping platforms.

This means you can’t just use traditional physical stamp paper like before.

PENALTY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

If you don’t use a digital stamp for a new rent agreement, there’s a fine of ₹5,000.

According to some sources, the fine applies to the landlord or property owner.

REGISTRATION STILL RELEVANT

Beyond stamp duty, the agreement may also need to be registered, depending on the state and the duration of the lease. For instance, in Maharashtra, rent agreements for more than 11 months must be registered.

Not registering (or improper stamping) can have legal consequences.

WHY THIS CHANGE IS HAPPENING?

FRAUD PREVENTION:

Digital stamps make agreements more traceable and harder to forge.

LEGAL CLARITY & ENFORCEABILITY:

Digitally stamped agreements are more legally robust.

Convenience & Transparency: Process goes online; easier to store, verify, and retrieve.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN A RENT DEAL

LANDLORDS:

Make sure any new or renewed agreement is digitally stamped. Don’t risk the ₹5,000 penalty.

TENANTS:

Ask your landlord to provide a digitally stamped agreement. Keep a copy.

USE AUTHORIZED PLATFORMS:

Use government-approved e-stamping portals (e.g., SHCIL or state portals) to do this properly.

REGISTER IF REQUIRED:

Check your state’s rules on registration (especially for long-term leases) and do the registration if mandatory.

SAVE DIGITAL COPIES:

Once stamped, save the PDF + the digital certificate — this will be useful for legal, HRA, or verification purposes.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

STATE VARIATIONS:

 Stamp duty rates and registration rules differ a lot between states. Example: Maharashtra has its own rates and portal rules.

ONLY NEW AGREEMENTS:

 Many sources say this rule applies for new or renewed rental agreements from July 1, 2025.

R V SEKAR FCS,LLB, 79047 19295