Paperwork for renting as a foreign national
Four pieces of paperwork go with a lease for a foreign national in Mumbai. Two are yours, two are the owner's. We help both sides get them done.
Step by step
- Leave and licence agreement, registered
Every rental agreement in Maharashtra is a leave and licence agreement and must be registered. It can be done online with biometric checks for owner and tenant, often at your home. Stamp duty and the ₹1,000 registration fee are paid at this step. Work out the cost →
- Police tenant information (owner)
The owner tells the local police who is living in the flat, with a copy of the agreement and the tenant's ID. In Mumbai this is done online.
- Form C (owner)
Whoever gives a foreign national a place to stay, a hotel or a landlord, submits Form C online within 24 hours of the arrival at that address. The owner registers once on the official site and files a new Form C for each foreign tenant.
- FRRO registration (you)
Foreign nationals on visas of more than 180 days, such as employment and student visas, generally register within 14 days of arrival on the e-FRRO portal. You will need your new address, so it helps to have the agreement and Form C done first. Your employer's HR or relocation partner usually guides this.
Rules change. Always check your visa conditions and the official portal. Official sites: e-FRRO · Form C · Maharashtra registration (IGR).
Documents to keep ready
🛂 Tenant
Passport and visa, a recent photo, your employer's letter or contract, your Indian mobile number and an email address. Once you have it, your FRRO registration certificate.
🏠 Owner
Proof of ownership, ID and PAN card, society no-objection where the building asks for it, and a log-in on the Form C site.
🏢 Company lease
When the company is the tenant, add the company's PAN, a board resolution or authority letter, and the name of the employee who will live there.
Questions
Who files Form C, me or the owner?
The owner, as the person giving you a place to stay. A good owner will ask for your passport and visa copy on move-in day. We remind owners and help them file.
Can I sign the lease before I arrive?
Yes, a home can be held with a token and the agreement drafted. Registration needs your biometrics, so it is usually done once you are in Mumbai, before you move in.
What if I move flats later?
The new owner files a fresh Form C, and you update your address on the e-FRRO portal.
Is there a minimum lease?
Rentu handles leases of 12 months or more. The lock-in period, when neither side can end the lease, is agreed up front and written into the agreement.
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