Anyone offering their immovable property for short-term occupancy or rental in Pakistan must execute a tenancy agreement, also known as a “rent deed.” The provincial domain governs rules pertaining to rent. This indicates that the provincial government is responsible for making rent laws. The Punjabi government has enacted THE PUNJAB RENTAL PREMISES ACT 2009, which governs all matters related to renting.

Does a written rent agreement need to be registered?

Every rental or tenancy agreement must be in writing, registered with the rent registrar in accordance with the Registration Act of 1908, and cover stamp duty as mandated by the Stamp Act of 1899, according to Section 5 of the Punjab Rental Premises Act of 2009.  As a result, the Rent Registrar records the rent and tenancy details in a register, seals the tenancy agreement with his official seal, keeps a copy of the agreement, and returns the original to the landlord after it has been registered. A certified copy of the tenancy agreement or having it entered into the Rent Registrar’s office must serve as proof of the landlord-tenant relationship. It is required for the Rent Registrar to be furnished with any agreement that the tenant and landlord may complete about the premises.

Which specifics must be included in the rental agreement?

For the purpose of registration, the rent agreement or tenancy agreement must include all pertinent information about the landlord and the tenant, among other things. The following specifics must be included in the rent agreement in detail:

A detailed description of the property, the length of the tenancy, the rent amount, the rate of enhancement, the due date and method of payment, the landlord’s bank account details if the rent is to be paid via a bank, the type of use of the space—residence or business—amount of advance rent, security, etc., if any
Rent Controller: Who Is She?

A sub-registrar of the community where the property is situated is a rent controller. A rent agreement is registered by the sub-registrar in accordance with Section 107 of the Transfer of Property Act of 1882 and Section 17(d) of the Registration Act of 1908.

What occurs if the tenancy agreement or rent deed is not registered?

The Rent Tribunal, a special court established to resolve disputes pertaining to rent, decides any disputes involving rent. According to Section 9 of the Punjab Rental Premises Act 2009, a rent agreement or tenancy agreement must be registered with the rent controller in order for an application pertaining to a rent agreement to be considered. The tenant’s application will not be considered unless he puts five percent of his annual rent into the government treasury. If a landlord submits an application, the government Treasury will need to receive 10% of the annual rent; if not, the application will be denied.

As the top legal firm in Pakistan, we have ten years of experience with cases involving rent. In addition to drafting and registering rent deeds, we offer a wide range of legal services related to rent matters. You won’t need to personally appear before the rent controller, so you don’t need to worry about the difficult registration process. Our group of knowledgeable property attorneys in Lahore will quickly register your rent with the Rent Controller and get the necessary paperwork signed and executed at your door.