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You can make a rent agreement in Kolkata online, without a typist or a trip to the court area for stamp paper. Law At Ease drafts it with the clauses that matter at move-out, attaches West Bengal e-stamp paper for the right duty, and the landlord, tenant and witnesses sign with an Aadhaar OTP. Everyone gets the signed copy by email. It costs ₹350 plus stamp duty, and you see the draft free first.
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How It Works
- Enter the details. Landlord, tenant, premises with holding number, ward and pin code, rent, deposit and term.
- Review the free draft. Edit any clause in plain English before you pay.
- Pay for e-stamp paper. We generate West Bengal e-stamp paper in the parties' names.
- Sign with Aadhaar OTP. Landlord, tenant and two witnesses each sign on their own phone, in Kolkata or elsewhere.
- Download. The signed agreement reaches everyone's inbox, usually in under 10 minutes once all signatures are in.
Rent Agreement Format in West Bengal: What to Include
A good Kolkata rent agreement covers these points. Our draft includes each one, and you can change any of them.
- ☐ Parties. Full names, parents' names, permanent addresses of landlord and tenant.
- ☐ Premises. Flat or floor, holding number, street, ward and pin code; whether furnished.
- ☐ Term. Start date and length, usually 11 months.
- ☐ Rent and due date. Amount, date each month, payment mode, late-payment terms.
- ☐ Deposit. Amount, what can be deducted, and the refund deadline after you vacate.
- ☐ Maintenance and utilities. Who pays the society or building charges, CESC electricity and water.
- ☐ Lock-in and notice. Minimum stay, notice period for each side.
- ☐ Repairs. Minor repairs by the tenant, structural repairs by the landlord.
- ☐ Use and occupants. Residential use only, number of occupants, subletting needs written consent.
- ☐ Renewal and increase. How the agreement is renewed and by how much the rent rises.
- ☐ Inventory. Fans, lights, geyser, furniture and keys, for furnished or semi-furnished flats.
- ☐ Signatures. Landlord, tenant and two witnesses.
Looking for a "leave and licence" format? In West Bengal, what matters is the substance: if the occupant pays rent for exclusive use of a flat, it may be treated as a tenancy whatever the title says. A clear 11-month rent agreement is the safer document.
Does the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act Apply to Your Flat?
For most new Kolkata lets, it doesn't. Section 3 of the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act, 1997 excludes residential premises let at more than ₹6,500 a month in the Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporation areas (₹3,000 a month elsewhere in the state).
Monthly rent (Kolkata / Howrah)
Act applies?
What governs the let₹6,500 or less | Yes | The Act (including limits on advance rent) plus the agreement
Above ₹6,500 | No | Mainly the agreement itself and general law
When the Act does apply, Section 14 caps advance rent at one month without the Rent Controller's permission. When it doesn't, the agreement's own clauses on deposit, notice and eviction carry the weight, so vague wording is the clause you'll argue about later. Create Now!
Unsure about an older building or a long-standing tenancy? Ask one of our advocates before signing.
Stamp Duty and Registration in Kolkata
An 11-month agreement in Kolkata needs West Bengal stamp paper of the right value, but no registration. Registration is compulsory only for leases of a year or more, under Section 17 of the Registration Act, 1908.
Term
Registration
What you needUp to 11 months | Not required | WB e-stamp paper + signatures (Aadhaar eSign works)
12 months or more | Compulsory | Stamp duty, registration fee and execution before the registering office
You'll see very different stamp-duty figures online for West Bengal. We calculate the duty for your rent and term from the state's schedule and show it before you pay.
Item
AmountDraft | Free
Law At Ease drafting and Aadhaar eSign | ₹350
West Bengal e-stamp duty | As per the state schedule for your rent and term (shown before payment)
Tenant Police Verification in Kolkata
Kolkata Police requires landlords to give their tenants' particulars to the local police station before letting. The details go on a Residential Tenants Profile Form, usually with the tenant's photo and ID proof.
- Where: the police station that covers the flat. Salt Lake and New Town fall under Bidhannagar Police; Howrah under Howrah City Police.
- What: tenant's name, permanent address, workplace, ID proof and photo, plus the landlord's details.
- When: before the tenant moves in.
The orders behind this are issued for fixed periods and renewed, so check the one currently in force at the station. Keep your signed agreement with the form; it records everything the station asks for in one place. Contact Us!
Documents Needed
Who
WhatLandlord | Aadhaar number with linked mobile, address; PAN if the tenant claims HRA on rent above ₹1 lakh a year
Tenant | Aadhaar number with linked mobile, permanent address
Two witnesses | Aadhaar number with linked mobile
Premises | Flat or floor, holding number, street, ward, pin code
Terms | Rent, deposit, maintenance, start date, term, lock-in, notice
Areas We Cover in Kolkata
Online signing works across Kolkata, Howrah and the rest of West Bengal. Common areas include:
- Salt Lake and New Town: Sector V, Rajarhat, Action Area I to III, Baguiati, Kestopur
- South Kolkata: Ballygunge, Gariahat, Jadavpur, Tollygunge, Behala, Garia, Kasba
- Central and north: Park Street, Esplanade, Shyambazar, Dum Dum, Lake Town
- EM Bypass: Ruby, Mukundapur, Anandapur, Ultadanga
- Howrah and beyond: Howrah, Shibpur, Barasat, Sodepur
Why Kolkata Renters Choose Law At Ease
- No typist queue. Draft, stamp and sign online in about 10 minutes.
- Free draft first. ₹350 plus stamp duty, only when it's right.
- Clauses that hold up. Deposit, notice and maintenance spelled out, which matters most where the 1997 Act doesn't apply.
- Sign from anywhere. A landlord in Delhi, Bengaluru or abroad signs with an Aadhaar OTP.
- Advocates on call. Questions answered in under 3 minutes on average.
Frequently asked questions
Marked up with FAQPage schema so answers can appear directly in search results.
Is an online rent agreement valid in Kolkata?
Yes. An agreement on West Bengal e-stamp paper and signed with Aadhaar eSign is valid under the Information Technology Act, 2000, with the correct stamp duty paid.
What is the format of a rental agreement?
Parties, premises, term, rent and due date, deposit and refund, maintenance and utilities, lock-in and notice, repairs, use, renewal, inventory and signatures with two witnesses. The checklist above covers each point.
Is registration needed for an 11-month rent agreement in Kolkata?
No. Registration is compulsory only for leases of a year or more.
Which is better, a lease or a rent agreement?
For most flats, an 11-month rent agreement: no registration, lower cost, easy to renew. A registered lease suits long stays or commercial premises where both sides want a fixed multi-year term.
How much deposit can a landlord take in Kolkata?
If the flat's rent is ₹6,500 a month or less, the 1997 Act limits advance rent to one month without the Rent Controller's permission. Above that, the agreement decides; two to three months' rent is common.
Is a leave and licence agreement valid in Kolkata?
It can be, but courts look at the substance. If you pay rent for exclusive use of a flat, a clear rent agreement describes the arrangement more accurately.
Create Your Kolkata Rent Agreement Today
Free draft, ₹350 when it's right, signed by everyone in minutes.