In Madhya Pradesh, a rent agreement for a term of less than one year carries a flat stamp duty of ₹500 and does not have to be registered, which is why most Indore landlords use an 11-month notarised agreement. Leases of one year or more attract duty as a percentage, and a lease longer than one year must be registered with the Sub-Registrar through SAMPADA 2.0.
This guide explains the MP rules in plain words, the difference between a notarised and a registered rent agreement, what a good agreement should contain, tenant police verification in Indore, and the documents you need.
Why the 11 month rent agreement is so common
Under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908, a lease of immovable property for a term exceeding one year, from year to year, or reserving a yearly rent must be registered. A lease for less than a year does not have to be registered.
Madhya Pradesh adds a second reason. Its stamp schedule charges a fixed amount for leases under one year, while longer leases are charged as a percentage. Keeping the term at 11 months means a fixed, low stamp duty, no compulsory registration and a simple renewal every year. For landlords, it also means a fresh review of rent and terms each year.
Rent agreement stamp duty in MP: what the law says
Rent agreements fall under Article 38 (Lease) of Schedule I-A of the Indian Stamp Act as it applies to Madhya Pradesh. The rates below are from the Indian Stamp (Madhya Pradesh Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 17 of 2022), which is the latest change to the lease article we could find.
| Lease term | Stamp duty in MP (Article 38) | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year (e.g. 11 months) | ₹500 flat | Optional |
| 1 year up to 5 years | 0.1% of the base*, minimum ₹500 | Compulsory if over 1 year |
| Over 5 up to 10 years | 0.5% of the base*, minimum ₹500 | Compulsory |
| Over 10 up to 20 years | 1% of the base*, minimum ₹500 | Compulsory |
| Over 20, under 30 years | 2% of the base*, minimum ₹500 | Compulsory |
| 30 years or more, perpetual or no fixed term | 5% of the base*, minimum ₹500 | Compulsory |
*The base is the average annual rent plus any premium or money advanced. The schedule compares this with the market value of the property and applies the rate to whichever is higher. A registration fee as per the MP fee table is charged on top for registered leases.
You may have seen “7.5% stamp duty and 3% registration fee” online. Those figures are for property sale deeds, not rent agreements. The flat ₹500 rule applies only to leases of less than one year.
Tip: Do not calculate long-lease duty by hand. Enter the details on SAMPADA 2.0 or ask the Sub-Registrar’s office for the computed duty and fee before execution. The state revises rates by amendment, and the portal reflects the current figure.
Two practical points from the explanations in the schedule. First, if the agreement specifically mentions a renewal period, that period can be counted as part of the lease term, so “11 months, renewable for another 11 months” may be treated as longer than a year. Second, a security deposit that is genuinely refundable is treated differently from a premium or advance rent that is not adjusted. If your deal has either feature, get the duty confirmed.
Notarized rent agreement vs registered lease
| Point | Notarised (11 months) | Registered lease |
|---|---|---|
| Term | Less than 1 year | Any term; compulsory above 1 year |
| Stamp duty in MP | ₹500 flat | Percentage as per term, minimum ₹500 |
| Where it is done | Before a notary | Sub-Registrar via SAMPADA 2.0 |
| Evidence value | Proof of signatures and terms between the parties | Entered in Government records |
| Rent agreement for passport | Generally not accepted as address proof | Accepted as proof of address |
A notarised agreement is fine for most everyday needs between landlord and tenant. If you need it as strong address proof, for example for a passport, or you want a longer lock-in, a registered agreement is the safer route. If a lease that should have been registered is not, it generally cannot be relied on as evidence of the lease in court.
Rent agreement format: clauses a good agreement should have
You do not need a long document, but it should be clear. A sensible rent agreement format covers:
- Parties: full names, parents’ names, addresses and ID details of the landlord and tenant.
- Property: complete address, floor, rooms, and fittings provided (fans, geyser, furniture).
- Term: start date, end date and the 11-month or other period.
- Rent: monthly amount, due date, mode of payment and any annual increase.
- Security deposit: amount, that it is refundable, and the conditions for deductions.
- Bills and maintenance: who pays electricity, water, society charges and minor repairs.
- Use: residential or commercial, and whether sub-letting is allowed.
- Notice and lock-in: notice period for either side and any lock-in months.
- Entry and inspection: when the landlord may visit with notice.
- Handover: condition at the end and return of the deposit.
- Signatures: landlord, tenant and two witnesses, with date and place.
Need help with Rent Agreement in Indore?
Share your requirement on WhatsApp or visit our office at Tower Chouraha, Indore. Our team will tell you which documents are needed and guide you through the next steps.
Documents required for a rent agreement
- Photo ID and address proof of the landlord and tenant (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, voter ID or driving licence).
- Proof of ownership or right to let, such as the registry, property tax receipt or electricity bill in the owner’s name.
- Passport-size photographs of both parties.
- Two witnesses with their ID.
- Agreed rent, deposit, term and any special conditions in writing.
- For a company lease, the authority letter or board resolution of the signatory.
How to make a rent agreement: step by step
- Agree the terms. Settle rent, deposit, term, notice period and who pays which bills.
- Prepare the draft. Use a clear format in English or Hindi with all the clauses above.
- Pay stamp duty. Buy an e-stamp of the right value. For an 11-month agreement in MP this is ₹500. You can learn more in our guide to e-stamp paper in MP.
- Print and check. Print the agreement with the e-stamp and read it once more with both parties.
- Sign and notarise, or register. For 11 months, landlord, tenant and witnesses sign before a notary (see notary in Indore). For one year or more, complete registration through SAMPADA 2.0 with the Sub-Registrar.
- Give tenant details to the police. Submit the tenant information online (see below).
- Keep copies. Both parties keep a signed original or certified copy, plus a scan.
Tenant police verification in Indore
The Indore Police Commissionerate asks landlords to report tenants and PG residents to the local police station. You can do this online through the Indore Police tenant verification page, which uses the “Tenant/PG Information” service on the MP Police Citizen Portal. You first register on the portal, then fill in the tenant’s details and upload ID.
This is not just a formality. In November 2025 the Indore Police Commissioner issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita requiring landlords and hotel operators to share details of people staying with them, and FIRs were filed against those who did not. Such orders are issued for a limited period and renewed, so assume the requirement applies and keep your acknowledgement.
Rent agreement for passport and address proof
The Ministry of External Affairs accepts a registered rent agreement (registered under Section 17 of the Registration Act and executed by the landlord in favour of the tenant) as proof of address for a passport. Its 2015 corrigendum dropped the earlier condition that it must be for more than one year, but it still has to be registered. Check the current document list on Passport Seva before you apply.
Banks, gas agencies and employers often accept a notarised agreement with a utility bill, but each sets its own rules, so ask first.
Rent agreement validity and renewal
Rent agreement validity is simply the term written in it. An 11-month agreement ends on its end date. If the tenant continues, make a fresh agreement with new stamp duty rather than relying on the old one, and update the police record if the tenant changes.
Getting it done in Indore
Searching “rent agreement near me” or “rent agreement online” usually leads to a draft by email, but the signing still has to happen in person. At Kanha Associates, our office at Shop No. 3, 917 Khatiwala Tank, Tower Chouraha, Indore prepares your agreement in English or Hindi, arranges the ₹500 e-stamp for 11-month agreements and arranges notarisation in one visit. For longer leases, we help you prepare the document and the SAMPADA 2.0 registration paperwork.
Start on WhatsApp: send the rent, deposit, term and both parties’ ID, and we will share a draft before you come. We help landlords and tenants from Vijay Nagar, Palasia, Bhawarkua, Rajwada, AB Road, Sapna Sangeeta, Rau, Mhow, Pithampur, Sanwer, Dewas, Dhar and Ujjain. The landlord, the tenant and two witnesses need to be present with original ID for notarisation. Our office is open Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM. See the contact page for directions, or browse our legal documentation and certification solutions.
Tip: If the landlord lives outside Indore, plan ahead. Every signatory must sign in person before the notary, so fix one date when everyone can come.
This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm current requirements before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stamp duty on a rent agreement in MP?
For a lease of less than one year, such as an 11-month agreement, the stamp duty in Madhya Pradesh is ₹500 flat. For one year or more it is a percentage based on the term, with a minimum of ₹500, and a lease longer than a year must be registered. Confirm the computed duty on SAMPADA 2.0.
Is registration of an 11 month rent agreement compulsory?
No. Registration is compulsory for leases of more than one year, from year to year, or reserving a yearly rent. An 11-month agreement can be registered voluntarily, which helps if you need it as passport address proof.
Is a notarised rent agreement valid?
Yes, for a term under one year a notarised agreement on proper stamp paper is valid between the landlord and tenant. It is not a substitute for registration where registration is compulsory.
Can I make a rent agreement online?
You can draft the agreement and buy the e-stamp online, but the parties must still sign in person before a notary, or complete the registration process on SAMPADA 2.0 for registered leases.
Is a rent agreement accepted for a passport?
A registered rent agreement executed by the landlord in favour of the tenant is accepted as proof of address under the Ministry of External Affairs circular. An unregistered notarised agreement may not be accepted.
How do I do tenant police verification in Indore?
Register on the MP Police Citizen Portal and use the “Tenant/PG Information” service listed on the Indore Police tenant verification page. Keep the acknowledgement with your agreement.
A clear rent agreement saves both landlord and tenant from disputes later. If you are unsure about the stamp duty, the format or whether to register, message Kanha Associates on WhatsApp at +91 91713 55550 and we will guide you before you sign.