How to Make an Online Rent Agreement in Delhi (2025 Guide)

Imagine this. You’ve found the perfect tenant for your Delhi apartment. Or maybe you’ve found your dream rental home. You’re both ready to move forward. But then someone says, “We need to get the rent agreement done.”

Your heart sinks a little.

You picture long lines at the stamp vendor’s office. Confusing legal jargon. Trips to the sub-registrar. It feels like a chore before you’ve even started.

What if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way? Creating a legal rent agreement in Delhi is now simpler, faster, and can be done entirely online. This guide will walk you through every single step. We will explain the costs, the documents you need, and how to avoid common mistakes. Let’s get started.

Why Create an Online Rent Agreement in Delhi?

Gone are the days of hunting for a stamp paper vendor and deciphering complex contracts. An online rent agreement brings the whole process to your laptop or phone.

Think of it like ordering food online instead of cooking from scratch. You provide the ingredients your details and the service handles the complicated recipe, the legal formatting, and the delivery.

The benefits are clear:

• Time: What used take days now takes hours.
• Cost: It is often cheaper than traditional methods.
• Legality: These agreements are fully valid if processed correctly.
• Convenience: No standing in queues. Everything is digital.

When Is Rent Agreement Registration Required in Delhi?

This is a crucial question. The rules change depending on how long your rental period is. Getting it wrong can cause legal problems later.

Here is a simple table to understand the requirements:

Lease Term	Stamp Duty	Registration Required	Legal Basis
Up to 11 months	₹50 fixed or 2% (whichever higher)	No, it is optional	Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958
12 months and above	2–5% depending on tenure	Yes, it is mandatory	Registration Act, 1908

Let me explain this in plain English.

If you sign a lease for 11 months or less, you do not have to officially register it with the government. You still need to print it on a stamp paper and get it signed, but you can skip the trip to the sub-registrar office. This makes it faster and cheaper.

If you sign a lease for 12 months or more, the law says you must register it. This involves paying a registration fee and having the agreement recorded by a government official. Not doing this means your agreement is not a strong legal document. It cannot be used as evidence in court.

Delhi uses a system called e-Stamping through SHCIL. This is a secure, online way to pay your stamp duty, which is basically a government tax on the agreement.

Step-by-Step Process to Create an Online Rent Agreement in Delhi

Let’s break down the journey from a blank screen to a legally sound document. Follow these steps closely.

Step 1: Draft the Agreement

First, you need the text of the agreement. You can use a template from a reliable online platform. A good draft includes all the essential clauses. This means the rent amount, the security deposit, the notice period for leaving, and who is responsible for maintenance and utility bills. Do not use a random template from the internet. Use a trusted source.

Step 2: Pay Stamp Duty Online

This is where you make the agreement official. You pay the stamp duty through the SHCIL e-Stamping portal. The cost depends on the lease term. For a lease up to 5 years, it is 2% of the average annual rent. For 5 to 10 years, it is 5%. The platform you use will often calculate this for you and help you buy the e-Stamp.

Step 3: Choose a Trusted Platform

This is your most important decision. The platform will guide you through the rest. Some popular options in Delhi include:

Housewise: Provides an end-to-end service, great for owners who live abroad.

👉 Start your Online Rent Agreement through a trusted platform like Housewise.

Step 4: Fill Property & Party Details

Now you fill in the blanks. You will need the full names of the landlord and tenant, their Aadhaar or PAN numbers, the complete property address, the monthly rent, the security deposit amount, and the lease term. Double check everything. A small typo in a name can cause big problems later.

Step 5: Biometric / Identity Verification

For registered agreements longer than 11 months, the law requires identity verification. Some services will book a biometric slot for you where your fingerprints are taken. This step confirms that the people signing the agreement are who they say they are.

Step 6: e-Sign or Physical Signature

Once the document is ready, it is time to sign. Both the landlord and tenant must sign. You can often use an Aadhaar-based e-Sign, which is legally valid. Do not forget. You also need two witnesses to sign the document. Their information and signatures are mandatory.

Step 7: Register (if required)

If your agreement is for 12 months or more, this is the final step. The signed document must be submitted to the Sub-Registrar of Assurances’ office. You pay a registration fee of ₹1,100. The platform you use may help schedule this appointment and guide you through it.

Step 8: Download Final Copy

After all steps are complete, you will receive the final copy. You get a soft copy PDF and often a physical, stamped agreement delivered to your door. Keep this document safe. You will need it for address proof, for a gas connection, or if any legal issues arise.

Documents Required for Rent Agreement in Delhi

Getting your documents ready beforehand makes the process fly by. Here is your checklist.

For Both Landlord and Tenant:

• Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Passport
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Any other address proof (like a driver’s license)

Specifically for the Landlord:

• Proof of ownership. This could be the property title deed, the latest property tax receipt, or an electricity bill in the owner’s name.

For Registration (if applicable):

• Two witnesses along with their original IDs for verification.
• Photocopies of all signed agreement pages.
• The agreement must be printed on the valid e-Stamp paper you purchased.

We recommend you download a checklist and tick off each item as you gather them.

Delhi Stamp Duty & Registration Charges (2025)

Let’s talk about money. Understanding the costs prevents any surprises.

Stamp Duty: This is a tax you pay to the Delhi government. It is a percentage of your rental value.

• For a lease up to 5 years: 2% of the average annual rent.
• For a lease between 5 and 10 years: 5% of the average annual rent.
• For a lease over 10 years: 5% of double the average annual rent.

Registration Fee: This is a fixed charge of ₹1,100 for registering the document with the authorities.

So, which is better? An 11-month agreement or a long-term one? Let’s compare.

Aspect	11-Month Agreement	Long-Term Registered Agreement
Cost	Very low stamp duty (around ₹50)	Higher stamp duty (2-5% of rent) + ₹1,100 fee
Legal Standing	Valid, but not as strong in court	Fully legally enforceable and strong
Ease	Very easy, no registration	More steps, requires a visit for registration

Why 11-Month Agreements Are So Common in Delhi

You might wonder why everyone talks about 11-month agreements. The answer is in the table above. It is a simple way to avoid the higher cost and extra steps of registration.

It is a practical choice for many. It is easier to renew the agreement every year. This allows you to update the rent or change terms if needed. A properly stamped 11-month agreement is still a valid document. You can use it for official tasks like getting a gas connection or as proof of address.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I have seen people make simple errors that cause major headaches. Here is what to watch out for.

Printing on the wrong stamp paper. The value of the e-Stamp must be correct for your agreement’s value. If it is too low, the document can be impounded, meaning the government can reject it.

Forgetting to register a long-term lease. If your lease is for 12 months or more and you do not register it, it will not hold up in court. It is not a legally enforceable document. This defeats the whole purpose of having an agreement.

Having misspelled names or wrong details. The names on the agreement must exactly match the names on your government IDs. A small mistake can make the document questionable.

Skipping the witnesses. Two witnesses are not a suggestion. They are a legal requirement. Their signatures and details are a critical part of making the agreement valid.

Not keeping copies safe. You spent time and money creating this document. Keep the original in a very safe place. Keep digital scans backed up online. You will need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an online rent agreement legally valid in Delhi?

Yes, it is completely legally valid. As long as it is printed on the correct e-Stamp paper, signed by all parties including two witnesses, and registered if for more than 11 months, it is as valid as one made the traditional way.

Who pays the stamp duty and registration charges?

There is no hard and fast rule. It is usually negotiated between the landlord and tenant. A very common practice is for the tenant to bear these costs. However, you should always discuss and agree on this before finalizing the agreement.

Can NRIs sign an online rent agreement?

Yes, they can. An NRI landlord can sign through a Power of Attorney holder who is in India. Many online platforms are equipped to handle this specific situation and can guide you through the required steps.

How long does the entire process take?

For an 11-month agreement, it can be done in a single day. For a registered agreement that is 12 months or longer, the process usually takes between 2 to 4 working days after you have submitted all documents. This includes time for verification and the registration appointment.

Do I need witnesses for online agreements?

Yes, you absolutely do. The requirement for two witnesses is a part of Indian contract law. The online process will still require you to provide the details and signatures of two witnesses for the agreement to be valid.

Conclusion

You are now equipped with all the knowledge you need. Creating an online rent agreement in Delhi is a straightforward process when you know how to navigate it.

To make it even easier for you, we have created some helpful resources. You can download a standard rent agreement template and a printable document checklist to ensure you do not miss a thing.

Also Read: Sample Rent Agreements and Templates

Also Read: Register a Will Online in India in 4 easy steps