Bengali Rent Agreement and Eviction Notice

iGuideline Summary

West Bengal tenancy is governed by the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act, 1997 (WB Premises Tenancy Act). Rent agreements must be in writing, on appropriate stamp paper, and ideally registered at the Sub-Registrar Office for agreements exceeding 12 months or high-value rentals. Bengali-language rent agreements are legally valid and commonly used across Kolkata and West Bengal districts. Eviction of tenants requires a formal notice period followed by a civil court eviction case — landlords cannot self-help evict. The Kolkata Rent Tribunal and civil courts handle eviction disputes. Security deposits must be refunded within the agreed period after the tenant vacates. VERIFY_OFFICIAL_SOURCE: West Bengal Registration Department and WB Premises Tenancy Act, 1997 for current stamp duty, registration requirements, and court jurisdiction.

When to File This Complaint

• Tenant not paying rent for two or more consecutive months
• Tenant subletting the property without the landlord's written permission
• Tenant using the residential premises for commercial purposes without consent
• Landlord claiming property for bonafide personal or family use
• Tenant refusing to vacate after the lease period has ended and notice issued
• Landlord unlawfully withholding security deposit after tenant vacates
• Dispute about maintenance responsibility between landlord and tenant

Documents Required

• Rent agreement / lease deed (registered or stamped copy)
• Rent receipts or bank transfer records proving or disproving rent payment
• Eviction notice with postal acknowledgment of delivery
• Property ownership documents (Deed of Conveyance, Mutation Certificate, Property Tax receipt)
• Any written communication with tenant about disputes (emails, letters, WhatsApp screenshots)
• Security deposit receipt and return correspondence
• Photographs of property condition at the time of vacancy (for damage claims)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Landlords changing locks or removing tenant's belongings without a court order — illegal eviction attracts criminal liability
• Not registering long-term leases (above 12 months) at the Sub-Registrar Office
• Tenants accepting an unwritten or informal rent arrangement — always insist on a written agreement
• Not giving the correct notice period before eviction proceedings — invalidates the case
• Landlords not keeping rent receipts as evidence when tenant claims non-receipt
• Not specifying the security deposit refund timeline clearly in the agreement