Tenant refusing to leave after lease expired? Here is what the law says you can do

NEW DELHI: A tenant overstaying in a rented property after the lease expires is one of the most common disputes between landlords and tenants across the country. Many landlords believe they can simply change the locks, cut electricity, or forcefully remove the tenant, but doing so can itself lead to serious legal trouble.

Indian tenancy laws have a structured process for eviction, and landlords must follow the procedure instead of taking the law into their own hands.

The first thing a landlord should examine is the rental or lease agreement. A well-drafted agreement usually contains clauses relating to the duration of tenancy, the notice period, rent default, the lock-in period, eviction conditions, and security deposit terms.

If the tenancy period has expired and the tenant still refuses to leave, the landlord can initiate legal action based on the rental agreement and the applicable laws of that state. Importantly, eviction without a written agreement is legally possible but significantly harder. In such cases, the existence of tenancy must be proved through rent receipts, bank transfers, WhatsApp chats, electricity bills, or witness statements. Oral tenancies are recognised in many situations, but they make disputes considerably harder to resolve and hence it is strongly advised to have a written agreement when renting out your property.

Before approaching a court, the landlord must send a formal legal eviction notice to the tenant. This step is not optional and skipping it can result in the eviction suit being dismissed at the outset.

Under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, a landlord must serve a written termination notice before the tenancy can be legally ended. For a monthly tenancy, a minimum 15-day notice is required. For a yearly tenancy, a 6-month notice is required.

The notice must be in writing, signed by or on behalf of the landlord, and delivered either by post, in person, or affixed to a conspicuous part of the property if personal delivery is not possible.

The notice generally includes the details of the property, the grounds for eviction, the time period given to vacate, any outstanding rent dues, and a warning of legal proceedings if the tenant does not comply. In many cases, disputes get resolved at this stage itself.

Can a landlord forcibly remove the tenant?

No. A landlord cannot physically evict the tenant, throw out their belongings, change locks without a court order, disconnect water or electricity, or threaten or harass the tenant in any manner.

Cutting off basic utilities or changing locks is considered an illegal "self-help" eviction and can result in criminal charges, police complaints, and compensation claims against the landlord, even if the tenant is in the wrong. The law clearly states that eviction must always happen through legal procedure, not unilateral force.

Non-payment of rent also does not constitute a criminal offence. The Supreme Court, in the Neetu Singh case, held that landlords cannot file an FIR against a tenant for non-payment of rent, and must instead pursue civil remedies through the appropriate Rent Control Tribunal or civil court.

When can eviction be sought legally?

A landlord can seek eviction on several legally recognised grounds, such as:

Non-payment of rent: If the tenant fails to pay rent for more than two consecutive months despite notice, the landlord can initiate eviction proceedings under Section 21(2) of the Model Tenancy Act, 2021.

Expiry of lease period: Once the rental agreement ends and the tenant refuses to vacate, the landlord can initiate eviction. Even after lease expiry, a proper legal notice must be issued before approaching court.

Violation of agreement terms: This includes subletting the property without the landlord's written permission, illegal activities being conducted on the premises, wilful damage to the property, or using a residential property for commercial purposes without the consent of the landlord.

Personal or bona fide requirement: In several states, landlords can seek eviction if they genuinely require the property for their own use or for family members, for example, under Section 14(1)(e) of the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958, and equivalent provisions in other state Rent Control Acts. Courts scrutinise such claims carefully to ensure the need is genuine and not a pretext. It is important to note that this ground is not available under the Model Tenancy Act, 2021, which reserves it only for the legal heirs of a deceased landlord.

Misuse of premises: Even after a written warning, if the tenant continues to misuse the property, the landlord can approach the Rent Court. Under the Model Tenancy Act, 2021, such applications must be addressed by the court within 30 days.

Which laws govern eviction in India?

Eviction of tenants in India is governed by a combination of central and state laws.

Section 106, Transfer of Property Act, 1882 is the foundational provision for terminating tenancy where no specific state law applies. It governs the notice period and mode of service.

State Rent Control Acts are the primary governing laws in most states. These vary significantly, for example, the Delhi Rent Control Act, the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, and the Kerala Building (Lease and Rent Control) Act all differ in their grounds, procedures, and tenant protections. Where a state Rent Control Act exists, it overrides Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act.

The Model Tenancy Act, 2021 was introduced by the Central Government as a template for states to adopt, though it is not automatically enforceable nationwide. States must individually adopt it and frame their own rules.

What is the Model Tenancy Act, 2021?

The Model Tenancy Act, 2021 was introduced by the Central Government under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to balance landlord and tenant rights and modernise the outdated rental housing framework.

Its key features include mandatory written agreements to be registered with the local Rent Authority within two months of execution, security deposit capped at two months rent for residential premises and six months rent for non-residential premises, and time-bound adjudication with misuse complaints to be resolved by the Rent Court within 30 days, and most other disputes and appeals to be disposed within 60 days.

On penalties for overstaying, Section 23 of the Act provides that if the tenant fails to vacate after the tenancy ends or is terminated, they are liable to pay twice the monthly rent for the first two months and four times the monthly rent for every subsequent month they continue to occupy the property.

What did the Supreme Court has said

The Supreme Court in Jyoti Sharma v. Vishnu Goyal (2025), settled a tenancy dispute that had lasted over seven decades, ruling decisively in favour of the landlord. The apex court held that a tenant can never become the owner of a rented property regardless of how long they have occupied it. Tenants occupy property with the permission of the landlord, and therefore the doctrine of adverse possession cannot be invoked to convert tenancy into ownership. The tenants in this case were granted six months to vacate, and they had to pay all rent arrears within one month, failing which the landlord could seek summary eviction.