No NOC required from the police for renting properties in Mumbai

The demand for rental properties in Mumbai is very high. Even in areas where the capital values of properties have stagnates, their rental rates are soaring. Despite the market for rent properties in Mumbai being such a hot one, not all property owners can let out their properties to potential tenants.

Doing a thorough background check on prospective tenants is extremely important in Mumbai. Flat owners can download the police verification form online, fill it out and submit it to the local police station along with the identity proof of the tenant. NOCs have to be obtained from the housing society, especially if the property owner is planning to sublet the flat to someone from the entertainment industry.

Till quite recently, NOCs had to be obtained from the police too for providing it the housing society representatives which ensure that safety of home owners is not compromised due to subletting the property.  However, renting out properties has been made easier for property owners now as the Maharashtra Government issued a circular that negates the need to procure an NOC from the local police station. Neither does the tenant nor the property owner have to obtain such a clearance from the police. The only thing that someone letting out his/her flats for rent in Mumbai has to do is mail a copy of the rental agreement to the police via registered post.

Till the notice was issued, tenants or landlords of any residential or commercial property had to visit the local police station to inform the police about the rental agreement and give a copy of it for the police to maintain their records. Real estate agents and brokers took advantage of these clauses and charge the landlord or tenant high fees for getting NOCs from police stations. Also, the tenant/landlord would have to spend a day at the police station for getting the NOC.

The police have agreed that this would help citizens to provide data about their tenants to the local police. Once the agreement is received by the police, they would issue acknowledgement receipts which would be enough to show to society office bearers that the rental agreement has been provided to the police. If any information or data is found to be incorrect, then the landlord shall be held responsible. This is also a safety measure to be taken for rent properties in Mumbai in case the tenant’s or landlord’s security is compromised.

Several complaints have been made against policemen who asked for token amounts or bakshish in order to aid landlords get NOCs for their properties. It is one of the primary causes for tenants or landlords to avoid going to the local police station. The introduction of this new scheme shall favour both tenants and landlords. It will also help the police compile and maintain a database of the people staying in property for rent in Mumbai. The step was taken to ensure that tenants and owners who are renting out premises won’t face any problems.