Lease Deed Format

This lease deed is designed for leasing or renting of commercial property. Lease deed is a legal document which lays out the prescribed terms and conditions under which the property is leased out. Lease deed must contain information about the lessor, lessee, tenure of lease, lease payments payable and other terms to be followed by the lessee and lessor during the lease term. Though the relationship between the land lord and the tenant is cordial most of the time, it is good to have a written rental agreement in place if the relationship turns sour or becomes fraught with complaints and misunderstandings.

Execution of Lease Deed

This lease deed format can be used by the lessor or lessee for leasing of commercial property. It is signed by the lessee and lessor to indicate agreement to the conditions placed by the lessor during the lease terms. It is a legal document having force of law which may be referenced by courts in the event of a disagreement. The lease deed must be printed on a Non-Judicial Stamp Paper. The value of the non-judicial stamp paper or stamp duty payable on the lease agreement would depend on the State and the value of the lease payable as per the lease agreement. Lease deeds can also be registered at a Sub-Registrar Office having jurisdiction over the premises to be leased. Two copies of the lease deed are usually executed, with each party retaining one of the original copies.

Lease Deed vs Rental Agreement

Based on the term and tenure of the agreement, the document can be termed as a lease deed or rental agreement. Lease deeds and rental agreements are treated differently under the Laws in force in India.

Lease Deed

Lease deeds are agreements entered for letting out of property for more than 12 months. Lease deeds have to abide by strict rent control laws that are mostly favorable to the tenants. Further, rental control laws currently prevent the landlords from overcharging the tenants and protect the tenants from sudden or unfair eviction.  Also, the right to ownership of the property gets transferred from the landlords to the tenants in case of a lease agreements, making it harder for the landlord to vacate a tenant. Hence, most landlords do not prefer to enter into registered lease deeds that are over 12 months.

Rental Agreement

Rental agreements on the other hand are entered into for a period of 11 months, with an option to renew the agreement at the expiration of the agreement. As a rental agreement that is 11 months long is just a license for the tenant to occupy the premises for a short duration, rent control laws do not apply. Further, rental agreements that are 11 months long allow the landlord to take more measures in case of eviction of tenant from the property. Hence, most landlords prefer to enter into a rental agreement that is 11 months long, with an option to renew at the end of the agreement period.