PUNE: The registration department is advising property owners to execute registered leave-and-licence agreements instead of relying on notarized rental agreements. They warn that unregistered agreements could lead to legal complications, particularly during police verifications and tenancy disputes.
According to officials, registered online agreements provide stronger legal standing and are seamlessly integrated with police records through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). “Once a leave-and-licence agreement is registered online, tenant details are automatically shared with the police. Property owners do not need to submit them separately,” explained Abhaysinh Mohite, Deputy Inspector General (IT) of the registration department.
He emphasized that registered agreements create an official government record, offering protection to both landlords and tenants. Conversely, notarized agreements provide limited legal safeguards and may result in disputes over rent, deposits, or tenancy terms due to the lack of official verification.
This clarification arises amid confusion in Pimpri-Chinchwad, where police issued notices to property owners requesting tenant information, warning of consequences under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). As a result, 38 property owners have faced legal action for not disclosing tenant information, with a total of 45 FIRs registered.
Concerns have been raised among property owners and housing societies regarding potential redundancy, given that tenant details are already uploaded through the state’s online registration portal. Sachin Shingvi of the Association of Service Providers stated that the Director General of Police confirmed that registered agreements automatically transfer tenant data to the police system.
Nonetheless, police authorities insisted on the importance of tenant verification for security reasons. “For public peace, law, and order, property owners must provide tenant information to the police. Notices have been distributed to those who have not complied. We are also raising awareness about registering agreements online through the citizen portal,” stated Shweta Khedkar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Representatives from housing societies highlighted that the varying interpretations have caused confusion among property owners, leading to calls for standardized guidelines to prevent repeated notices and compliance difficulties. “Clear guidelines are necessary. We are uncertain what is acceptable and what isn’t. The police should not burden property owners,” said a member of a housing society’s managing committee.
