Lease / Rental Agreement (US + India)
Contract setting rent, term, deposit, and obligations. US: mostly private contract under state law. India: a stamped (sometimes registered) instrument; the 11-month term avoids mandatory registration.
Do it on the official site
US: template service (eForms/Zillow/LawDepot) or attorney; deposit rules from state law. India: e-stamp via SHCIL or state portal (Kaveri, IGR Maharashtra, IGRSUP); registration at the Sub-Registrar.
- Fees
US templates free–~$50; notary $5–$25/sig only if recording. India stamp duty ~1% of (annual rent + deposit), often capped (Karnataka ₹500); registration ₹500–₹1,000 when required [inferred — state-specific]
- Processing time
US same day (effective on signing); India e-stamp instant, registration same day to a few days
- How long it lasts
Lease term (commonly 12 mo US / 11 mo India); then month-to-month or re-execute
What to know first
- US: leases >1 year must be written; most states don't require notarization/recording; deposit caps & return deadlines vary by state.
- India: agreements ≥12 months must be registered; the 11-month term is the standard workaround; stamping is mandatory regardless.
- Notice windows vary (US 30/60/90 days; NYC rent-stabilized 90–150 days).
- From 1 July 2025 new Indian rentals must be digitally stamped or face a ₹5,000 fine.
How to do it
- 1US: pick a state-specific template → fill parties/rent/term/deposit + required disclosures (federal lead-paint pre-1978) → confirm deposit within cap → sign (notarize only if recording).
- 2India: draft (commonly 11 months) → buy e-stamp online (computes duty, get UIN) → print + sign with witnesses → register at the Sub-Registrar if ≥12 months or the state mandates.
What you need to bring
- US: photo ID both parties, drafted lease, required disclosures, deposit record. India: Aadhaar/PAN + photos of landlord/tenant/2 witnesses, ownership proof, drafted agreement, e-stamp certificate
In person
US: local real-estate attorney/notary; county recorder (only if recording). India: nearest Sub-Registrar; local notary; authorized e-stamp/SHCIL center.
Questions people ask
- (US) How much deposit can a landlord charge?
- State-dependent (CA caps 1 month; many states no cap).
- (India) Why 11 months?
- Registration Act §17 requires registering leases ≥12 months.
- (India) Is a notarized agreement enough?
- Notarization doesn't replace registration where the law mandates it.
Documents that travel with it
Sources
- shukrentals.com state deposit laws; law.cornell.edu UCC 2A-201; shcilestamp.com (accessed 2026-06-26)