With rental housing demand increasing across major Indian cities, disputes over rent hikes have become more common. However, legal experts have clarified that landlords cannot increase rent arbitrarily, as tenancy laws provide clear protections for tenants and set rules for rent revisions.
The issue has gained significance amid growing costs of properties and the high demand for rental flats. As most landlords try to revise the rent, many tenants wonder if this procedure is legal. According to the Model Tenancy Act (MTA), 2021, the rent can only be increased according to the provisions stipulated in the rental agreement. As per the section 9(1) of the said act, the rent increase must occur in accordance with the stipulations that have been written in the document signed by both the parties.
There are some specific regulations in the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958, which provide more rights for the tenants in the capital. According to the section 8(1), the landlord must give proper written notification before any revision of the rent. After it, the landlord can increase the rent but only after 30 days after the date of serving the notice. It is stated that the landlord is allowed to increase the rent only in case of documented improvement of the property and the increased rent cannot exceed 10% of its cost.
The lawyers advise tenants to carefully examine the rental agreement and any notices concerning rent revision. In case the tenant finds that some revision of the rent is illegal, he or she can address the Rent Authority.
Considering the high importance of the issue of renting, the knowledge of tenancy laws will help to avoid unnecessary troubles. Legal experts think that such awareness can help to prevent possible disputes.
