Recovery of Unpaid Rent from Tenants in India If a tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord has legal remedies under various laws, including the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, Rent Control Acts (state-specific), and the Civil Procedure Code (CPC). The landlord can recover unpaid rent through legal notices, eviction suits, and recovery proceedings. 1. Send a Legal Notice for Rent Recovery The landlord must first send a legal notice to the tenant demanding payment of overdue rent. The notice should include: The amount of unpaid rent. The period for which rent is due. A deadline (usually 15 to 30 days) for payment. Consequences of non-payment (eviction or legal action). 2. File an Eviction Suit (If Tenant Fails to Pay) If the tenant does not pay after receiving a legal notice, the landlord can file an eviction suit under the relevant Rent Control Act. Common grounds for eviction due to non-payment of rent: Continuous default in rent payments beyond the grace period mentioned in the rent agreement. Violation of tenancy terms. Subletting without permission. Procedure for Eviction Suit: File a petition in the appropriate civil or rent control court. The court may give the tenant an opportunity to pay pending rent before eviction is ordered. If the tenant still defaults, the court may pass an eviction decree. 3. File a Suit for Recovery of Rent (Under Civil Procedure Code, 1908) If the landlord does not want eviction but wants to recover rent, they can file a civil suit for rent recovery. This can be filed under Order XXXVII of CPC (Summary Suit) for quicker resolution. The landlord can claim: Unpaid rent with interest. Damages for delay in payment. Legal expenses incurred. 4. Attachment of Tenant’s Property (If Decreed by Court) If the court orders rent recovery and the tenant does not comply, the landlord can seek attachment of the tenant’s movable assets (furniture, vehicles, etc.) to recover dues. 5. Police Complaint for Fraud (If Tenant Intentionally Defaults) If the tenant intentionally refuses to pay rent despite having funds, a complaint for criminal breach of trust (Section 406 IPC) or cheating (Section 420 IPC) may be filed. This is useful in cases where the tenant absconds without paying rent. 6. Settlement Through Mediation or Arbitration If a rental agreement includes an arbitration clause, the landlord can opt for arbitration or mediation to recover dues without lengthy litigation. This method is faster and cost-effective. Conclusion A landlord has multiple legal remedies for rent recovery, including legal notices, eviction suits, civil recovery suits, and even criminal complaints in case of fraud. The best approach depends on the tenancy terms and state-specific rent control laws.