Moving to a new flat? Before you sign anything, know exactly how much the rent agreement itself will cost you. Between stamp duty, registration fees, broker charges, and agreement drafting — you could be paying ₹5,000 to ₹40,000 just for the paperwork, depending on your state and rent amount.
Our Rent Agreement Cost Calculator covers all 14 major Indian states with their specific stamp duty rules. The tricky part is that every state has different rates — Maharashtra charges 0.25% for Leave & License, Karnataka has fixed slab rates, and Delhi has yet another system. We handle all of that. Just pick your state and fill in the rent details.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select your state from the dropdown.
- Enter the monthly rent and security deposit amount.
- Choose the agreement duration (11 months, 1 year, 2 years, etc.).
- Select the agreement type — Leave & License (most common for residential) or Rental Agreement.
- Toggle broker fee if applicable.
- Click “Calculate” to see the complete cost breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are most rent agreements for 11 months in India?
Agreements of 12 months or more must be registered under the Registration Act, which adds registration fees and involves a more complex process. An 11-month agreement can be executed on stamp paper without mandatory registration, making it simpler and cheaper. However, registered agreements offer stronger legal protection.
Who pays for the rent agreement — landlord or tenant?
By market convention in most Indian cities, the tenant pays for stamp duty, registration, and agreement drafting. Broker fees are typically split 50-50 between landlord and tenant. However, everything is negotiable — especially in a tenant-friendly market.
What is the stamp duty for rent agreement in Maharashtra?
For Leave & License agreements in Maharashtra, stamp duty is 0.25% of (total rent for the entire period + security deposit). For a ₹25,000/month rent with ₹1 lakh deposit for 11 months, stamp duty would be about ₹938. Registration fee is a flat ₹1,000.
Is notarized rent agreement valid in India?
A common misconception: notarization does NOT make a rent agreement legally valid. An agreement needs proper stamp duty to be admissible in court. A notarized agreement on plain paper has no legal standing. Always use proper stamp paper or e-stamp for your rent agreement.