No one teaches you how to rent a home. You figure it out after signing the lease. By then, you’ve either made peace with a broken flush or you're stuck in a building where the elevator hasn’t worked since Diwali.
Renting a flat in India can feel straightforward, until it isn’t. Miss a step, and you’re stuck with leaks, legal ambiguity, or a landlord who doesn’t pick up the phone. Here’s what renters should be checking before they sign
No one teaches you how to rent a home. You figure it out after signing the lease. By then, you’ve either made peace with a broken flush or you're stuck in a building where the elevator hasn’t worked since Diwali.
It’s a problem. And it happens far too often.
People jump into rental agreements without asking the right questions. They trust photos. They rely on brokers who talk fast and promise faster. Then they move in and find the paint peeling, power backing out during the day, and water rationed after dusk.
On paper, every neighbourhood is “well-connected.” The phrase has lost meaning. What matters is actual access. Can you get a cab here at 11 p.m.? Is there a hospital nearby, not just on Google Maps, but one people actually trust? Are the roads lit, or do they go pitch dark after 8?
Safety isn’t a bullet point; it’s a dealbreaker. Walk the area late in the evening. Talk to shopkeepers. Read locality reviews left by real residents; some are brutally honest. That’s a good sign.
One visit is non-negotiable. Not a Zoom call or a friend/family checking on the tenant's behalf. Try turning on the taps, open cupboards, and check for mold, especially behind furniture or under windows. Dampness hides where it’s inconvenient to fix, flush toilets, flip switches, look under sinks and open the fridge, if there’s one. If the house is freshly painted, a chance that something hidden, especially moisture in the walls, can lead to major issues once you move in.
It is advisable that tenants check both the exterior and the interior condition of the property, and conduct legal due diligence and investigate the title of the said property owner.
Elevator working? Test it. Backup generator actually kicks in? Ask them to simulate it. Parking space available? See it. Don’t take the landlord’s word for it. “Available” doesn’t mean “guaranteed for you.” Water supply is critical; the tenant must ask if it’s municipal or tanker. Tankers mean extra cost and uncertainty. Also, observe the proactiveness of the promised security, especially in gated societies.
Landlords often mention the rent and forget to disclose monthly maintenance charges that climb with time. Ask if electricity is at commercial or domestic rates. Ask what you pay for gas.
Will the RWA ask for any additional monthly fees?
And don’t assume things. Some flats charge for shared generator usage. Others have water bills separate from maintenance.
Who pays for what? Put it in writing.
Brokerage is not universal; negotiate it upfront
If a broker was involved, agree on their cut before anything else. In most cities, they ask for one month’s rent. In some, they ask for two. But that’s not law, it’s practice. Push back if it feels unreasonable. Try getting a RERA-registered broker, or risk being left hanging if a dispute arises.
Read the rent agreement like a lawyer would
Tenure: start and end dates
Rent amount and payment cycle
Security deposit and return conditions
Service/maintenance fees
Clauses around repairs and who handles them
Exit terms, including notice period
Conditions for renewal and rent hikes
Utility bill responsibility
Lock-in period terms
Landlords can sometimes add unexpected clauses. One document mentioned no guests allowed after 10 pm. Another barred ‘non-vegetarian cooking.’
Lock-in period and notice terms, understand them or lose money
The lock-in period is a trap if misunderstood. You leave early, you pay penalties. You give insufficient notice, you forfeit part or all of the deposit.
How much notice is required?
Can it be served mid-month?
What happens if the landlord wants to sell or move in?
Also, insist that the terms around the security deposit return are clear. Don’t let that conversation slide until the last month.
Look for structural damage, dampness, plumbing issues, working condition of electrical fittings, pest signs, and general hygiene. Don’t skip elevators and shared facility checks.
Ensure the broker is registered with RERA. That gives you recourse. Always communicate in writing.
At the time of vacating, after settling pending dues. Ideally, within one month. If delayed, demand a written timeline.