The registration department in Pune has strongly advised property owners to execute registered leave-and-licence agreements rather than relying on notarised rent pacts. Officials warn that unregistered agreements can lead to legal and procedural complications, particularly during police verification and tenancy disputes.
Benefits of Registered Agreements
According to officials, registered online agreements offer stronger legal validity and are automatically integrated with police records through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). Abhaysinh Mohite, Deputy Inspector General (IT) of the registration department, explained: "Once a leave-and-licence agreement is registered online, tenant information is automatically shared with the police department. Property owners do not need to submit it separately." He added that registered agreements create an authenticated government record, protecting both landlords and tenants. In contrast, notarised agreements provide limited legal protection and may lead to disputes over rent, deposit, or tenancy conditions due to the absence of official verification.
Confusion in Pimpri-Chinchwad
The clarification comes amid confusion in Pimpri-Chinchwad, where police issued notices to property owners to furnish tenant details, warning of action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police reported that 38 property owners have been booked for failing to share tenant information, with a total of 45 FIRs registered. This move has raised concerns among property owners and housing societies, who question the duplication since tenant details are already uploaded through the state's online registration portal. Sachin Shingvi of the Association of Service Providers noted that the Director General of Police had clarified that registered agreements automatically transfer tenant data to the police system.
Police Stance
The police, however, maintain that tenant verification remains crucial for security. Shweta Khedkar, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Pimpri-Chinchwad, stated: "In the interest of public peace, law and order, and security, property owners must provide tenant information to the police. Notices have been issued to those who have not shared details. We are also creating awareness among citizens to register agreements online through the citizen portal."
Call for Uniform Guidelines
Housing society representatives say the differing interpretations have left many property owners confused, prompting calls for uniform guidelines to avoid repeated notices and compliance issues. A member of a managing committee of a housing society remarked: "There should be clear guidelines. We are not sure what is accepted and what is not. The police should not hassle the property owners."
