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If you read a lot about real estate news, this next headline is probably pretty familiar:
New Rent Agreement Rules from January 1, 2026″
It looks serious. It sounds official. And it’s trending a lot.
But the real question that tenants and landlords in Gurgaon, Faridabad, and other Haryana cities are asking is
Are the new rent agreement rules valid in Haryana? Let’s examine it clearly, with facts and legal references—no misinformation.
Why are the “New Rent Agreement Rules 2026” trending?
Before discussing the legality, it is helpful to understand why this topic is being discussed.
The main reason:
India’s rental housing laws are evolving slowly, and many media outlets are
- Repackaging old laws—mixing draft policies with what might happen in the future
Several articles that refer to rent control legislation effective from January 1, 2026, cite guidance provided by the Government of India in the Model Tenancy Act, 2021.
It is important to clarify that the Model Tenancy Act simply offers guidance and does not apply automatically in all states in India. Rather, it provides model legislation for individual states to draft their own residential rent laws.
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The Model Tenancy Act (MTA) is designed to establish parity between tenants and landlords with respect to the rights and obligations of both parties, to create transparency and consistency surrounding rental agreements, and to encourage the creation of written rental agreements that formalise and legally bind the relationship between landlord and tenant.
The four key elements of the MTA are as follows:
- A written rental agreement is required.
- Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing account at a financial institution or bank.
- Clear eviction procedures must be established; and
- A Rent Authority is created to address disputes between landlords and tenants.
The source for this information is the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
The other consideration to note includes:
Is the Model Tenancy Act Mandatory for All States?
Not necessarily; the federal structure governing India permits each state to determine to what extent it will adopt and/or modify central model laws concerning housing. States may have one of three options concerning model laws, specifically:
- To adopt in full;
- To modify, or
- To not adopt it at all.
Currently, the Model Tenancy Act has NOT yet been fully adopted in Haryana by any state government. Rather, Haryana continues to use the pre-existing regulatory framework for urban renting, which includes the following (among others):
1) The Haryana Urban (Control of Rent & Eviction) Act, 1973
2) Local Registration & Stamp Duty Rules
Under the current provisions of the Haryana Urban (Control of Rent & Eviction) Act, 1973, unless a new tenancy law is passed or the Haryana Government officially notifies the adoption of the model tenancy law in Haryana, no new rent rule or regulations will become legally enforceable as of January 1, 2026.
So why do some people say the new rental law will be “applicable from January 1, 2026”? That’s a good question, and that’s where confusion often arises.
1) The media has speculated on what will happen with the potential implementation of the Model Tenancy Act
2) Draft discussions are taking place within the policy-making circles
3) Some people may be misinterpreting the word “model” versus “law.”
4) Clickbait headlines
To date, there has not been an official notification by the Government of Haryana stating that new rent agreement rules or mandatory compliance will be in effect as of January 1, 2026; all claims regarding these issues are, at this point in time, by definition, informational and not legally binding.
Now, let’s take a look at the actual rental rules currently applicable in Haryana.
1) Written Rent Agreement—While a written rent agreement isn’t required under Haryana law, it is recommended that the parties enter into a written agreement. A majority of property disputes arise out of (1) either party’s reliance on verbal agreements or (2) vague or poorly drafted clauses.
2) Registration Requirement—If the rent agreement is for a period greater than eleven months, it must be registered; registered agreements have a higher legal standing and provide legal protection for both parties. The Registration Act, 1908, governs a registered rent agreement.
The terms of lease vary by location, rental value, and length of lease and are governed by the Indian Stamp Act (State Amendments). In Haryana, there is currently no statutory limit placed on the amount you can pay as a security deposit within the scope of the Model Tenancy Act. Currently, typical market practice offers a security deposit ranging from one to two months’ rent, whereas the Model Tenancy Act places limits on the maximum amount you can put down as a security deposit. The speculation of 2026 comes into play here; if Haryana were to adopt the Model Tenancy Act either partially or fully, you could expect the security deposit to be capped and the dispute resolution process to take place much faster than currently and have a defined timeframe for your eviction process. Rental authorities, rather than civil courts will process evictions; therefore, the probability that you will see this become law is speculative at this time. In cities such as Gurgaon, rental and lease agreements are usually entered into under semi-formal conditions due to brokers promoting the need for registered rental lease agreements, police conducting a police verification of a potential tenant’s background, and somewhat of a high rate of ‘surge’ in the real estate market, which frequently exceeds the current law governing lease agreements.
Should Tenants in Haryana Worry About January 1, 2026?
Currently, there is no official notice from the Haryana Government regarding the new Model Tenancy Act, 2021 (Government of India).
Since there have been no specified mandatory modification periods established by the Haryana Government, and no penalties imposed on existing tenure agreements as a result of the Model Tenancy Act, and while there is still uncertainty over what the final outcome will be, you are able to continue to use the existing (current) laws until the Haryana Government issues a notice in the Haryana Gazette.
General advice for landlords and tenants (2025-2026):
Instead of stressing about how to ‘go viral,’ simply:
✔ Always have a written agreement
✔ Register your agreement (if you can)
✔ Do not create verbal clauses
✔ Clearly specify any rental payments, notice period and deposits in your agreement
✔ Comply with local state stamp duty legislation
Well-written documentation provides stronger protection from changes to future tenancy laws than everything else combined.
Sources used to prepare this document include:
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MoHUA)
Model Tenancy Act, 2021 (India)
Haryana Urban (Control of Rent & Eviction) Act, 1973
Registration Act, 1908
State Stamp Duty Rules (Haryana)
No assumptions! No fake dates! No fake laws!
Final Conclusion—Since January 1, 2026, rent agreements have not yet been enforceable as legal agreements in Haryana; therefore, currently, they are NOT valid. Until new tenancy laws or the Tenancy Act have been passed or legislated in Haryana, any information regarding the “mandatory” change of rent agreement as of January 1, 2026, is merely information and NOT law.
NOTE: Real estate law does NOT change quickly. Just because it is a ‘trending article’ does NOT mean it is accurate. It is important to keep up with your state’s notifications, rather than relying on ‘trending news.’
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the rent agreement rules effective from January 1, 2026?
Currently, there is not a single national rent agreement law enacted automatically on January 1, 2026. Viral news stories typically reference the existing provisions of the Model Tenancy Act, 2021 or recent changes to state laws/regulations. The actual implementation will vary from state to state until such time as a change has been formally adopted or officially published by the state government.
Does the Model Tenancy Act apply in Haryana?
The 2021 Model Tenancy Act is a set of guidelines and not an automatically applicable law across India (States will have to implement it state by state). In Haryana, some reforms in regulating tenancy have occurred but implementation will not take place until the State issues a notification for implementation.
Is rent agreement registration mandatory in Haryana?
When the duration of a rent agreement is longer than 11 months, it is necessary to register them under the Registration Act of 1908. A rental agreement for 11 months or less can be notarised, however, if an agreement has been registered with the State by providing a certified copy, the registered agreement provides stronger evidence in court.
Is a ₹100 stamp paper valid for a rent agreement?
The value of stamp paper is determined by the stamp duty rules of each state and not by a single amount established nationally. In the case of a lease, the stamp duty in Haryana is determined based on the amount of rent and the duration of the lease. A lease that is executed on insufficiently stamped paper may not be enforceable.
Can a landlord increase rent every year?
There is no established national percentage for rental increases, as each agreement should provide terms of any increase. If there is an increase added to your rent without notifying you beforehand, you can dispute the increase legally.
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Harsh Katyan is a prominent real estate blogger and property consultant based in Gurugram, with a deep-rooted expertise extending across the entire Delhi-NCR region. He serves as a trusted guide for individuals navigating the complex property markets of North India.
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