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Monday, October 19, 2026

Chhattisgarh Rent Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026

 CHHATTISGARH BILL

(No. 9 of 2026)

THE CHHATTISGARH RENT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026

A Bill further to amend the Chhattisgarh Rent Control Act, 2011 (No. 19 of 2012).

Be it enacted by the Chhattisgarh State Legislature in the Seventy-Seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:

1. Short title and commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Chhattisgarh Rent Control (Amendment) Act, 2026.

(2) It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Amendment of Section 2

In Section 2 of the Chhattisgarh Rent Control Act, 2011 (No. 19 of 2012) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act):

(i) After clause (2), the following Explanation shall be inserted, namely:

"Explanation: The tenancy agreement executed between the landlord and tenant shall be binding on their legal heirs in the event of the death of the landlord or tenant, as the case may be. For the remaining duration of such tenancy, the legal heirs of the deceased landlord or tenant shall have the same rights and obligations as agreed upon in the tenancy agreement."

(ii) For clause (5), the following shall be substituted, namely:

"(5) "Landlord" means a person who, for the time being, is receiving or is entitled to receive the rent of any accommodation, whether on his own account or on account of, on behalf of, or for the benefit of any other person, including a minor or person of unsound mind, or a person incapable of entering into a contract, and shall also include:

(i) His legal heirs; and

(ii) Any trustee, guardian, or receiver."

(iii) After clause (8), the following shall be added, namely:

"(8a) "Property Manager" means a person authorized by the landlord to manage the premises and who represents the landlord in dealings with the tenant;"

(iv) After clause (13), the following shall be added, namely:

"(13a) "Legal Successor/Heir-in-interest" means a person who is the spouse, son, daughter, mother, or father of the tenant or landlord and who ordinarily resides with them in the accommodation as a family member until their death or mental unsoundness."

3. Insertion of Section 4A

After Section 4 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:

"4A. Information regarding Property Manager, duties, and consequences of violations

(1) Where a Property Manager is appointed by the landlord, the landlord shall provide the following information to the tenant, namely:

    (a) Name of the Property Manager;

    (b) Proof of authorization by the landlord;

    (c) Specific purpose and duration of the authorization; and

    (d) If the Property Manager is a legal entity, the name of the entity and the contact person authorized for tenancy communications.

(2) Duties of the Property Manager shall include:

    (a) Collecting rent against receipts;

    (b) Carrying out necessary repairs on behalf of the landlord;

    (c) Inspecting the premises periodically;

    (d) Issuing notices for proper maintenance, delay in rent payment, rent revision, eviction, or renewal;

    (e) Assisting in resolving disputes between tenants or landlord and tenant; and

    (f) Any other tenancy matters instructed by the landlord.

(3) Where a Property Manager acts in violation of sub-section (2) or contrary to instructions, the Rent Controller may, upon application by the landlord or tenant, remove the Property Manager, impose costs/compensation for losses, or both."

4. Amendment of Section 5

After sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the principal Act, the following sub-section shall be added, namely:

"(3) Procedure for payment of rent in cases where the landlord refuses to accept rent:

(a) If the landlord refuses to accept rent/charges or give a receipt, the tenant may send the rent via post, money order, or prescribed mode for two consecutive months. If refusal continues, the tenant may deposit the rent with the Rent Controller.

(b) The Rent Controller shall conduct an inquiry and pass suitable orders based on facts.

(c) The landlord may withdraw the deposited rent by making a prescribed application."

5. Amendment of Section 6

In Section 6 of the principal Act:

  • (i) Insert sub-section (2a): Chairman of the Tribunal shall hold office for 3 years or until reaching 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.

  • (ii) Insert sub-section (8): Members appointed shall be deemed public servants under Section 2(28) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

6. Amendment of Section 10

  • Adjournments: Adjournments before the Rent Control Tribunal are limited to a maximum of three times per party during the entire proceeding, with costs imposed on the requesting party.

  • BNS/BNSS References: Proceedings are updated to align with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

  • Time Bound: The Rent Control Tribunal shall endeavor to dispose of cases within 60 days of receiving an application or appeal.

  • Evidence: Evidence of witnesses shall be given on affidavit unless personal presence is ordered.

7. Insertion of Section 10A

  • Court Fees: Court Fees Act, 1870 applies. Applications before the Rent Controller shall attract fees equivalent to interlocutory applications in civil court.

8–9. Revision of Rights & Obligations (Sections 12, 12A, 12B, 12C)

  • Deletion of Schedules 1–4: The former schedules detailing rights and liabilities are omitted, and integrated directly into the body of the Act under Sections 12, 12A, 12B, and 12C.

  • Rent Escalation: Capped at 5% for monthly rents $\le ₹2,000$ and 10% for other cases.

  • Security Deposit: Limited to a maximum of three months' rent.

  • Eviction Notice:

    • Requires 3 months' notice for personal requirement.

    • Requires 6 months' notice without assigning reason (subject to not re-letting at higher rent for 12 months).

    • Reduced to 1 month notice for special categories (serving/retired government servants, widows, armed forces personnel, persons with disability, and senior citizens aged 65+).

  • Social Nuisance: Defined clearly to include brawling, domestic violence, late-night noise, hazardous storage, littering, public urination/defecation, and acts disturbing neighborhood peace.

Blog Post

Modernizing Rental Housing: Understanding the Chhattisgarh Rent Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Renting a home or commercial property is often accompanied by legal ambiguities, unclear repair liabilities, and lengthy dispute resolutions. To align regional property management with modern governance standards, the Chhattisgarh Legislature introduced the Chhattisgarh Rent Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Derived from the Union Government's Model Tenancy Act, 2021, this amendment updates the existing 2011 framework to build trust between property owners and tenants while streamlining dispute resolution mechanisms.

Key Highlights of the 2026 Amendment

1. Formal Recognition of Property Managers

Property management companies and designated individuals are now officially recognized in rental governance. Landlords can authorize a Property Manager to handle day-to-day operations—such as rent collection, routine inspections, maintenance, and sending notices.

  • Accountability: If a Property Manager breaches their duties, the Rent Controller can remove them or order financial compensation for losses caused to the tenant or landlord.

2. Capped Security Deposits & Transparent Rent Hikes

To remove unfair financial demands on tenants:

  • Security Deposit: Capped at a maximum of 3 months' rent.

  • Annual Rent Revisions: Capped at 5% for rents up to ₹2,000/month, and 10% for higher rentals, as mutually agreed in the tenancy agreement.

3. Clear Eviction Protocols & Fast-Track Relief

  • General Notice: Landlords requiring property for personal use must give 3 months' notice.

  • Fast-Track Protection: A shortened 1-month notice period is provided for special priority groups requiring their homes back, including:

    • Senior citizens (65+ years)

    • Widows

    • Armed forces personnel

    • Persons with disabilities

    • Serving/retired government employees

4. Dispute Resolution Timelines

To prevent cases from lingering for years, the bill places stricter rules on litigation:

  • 60-Day Target: The Rent Control Tribunal is tasked with disposing of cases/appeals within 60 days.

  • Adjournment Limit: Parties are restricted to a maximum of 3 adjournments throughout the proceedings.

5. Defining "Social Nuisance"

To protect community living, the bill explicitly defines social nuisance. Acts such as domestic violence, chronic late-night disturbances, hazardous material storage, or improper waste disposal serve as grounds for tenancy termination.

Summary Table: Rights & Obligations at a Glance

AspectLandlord Rights & DutiesTenant Rights & Duties
Agreement & Registration

Must execute a notarized lease agreement and notify local police within 7 days.

Right to receive a signed copy of the agreement and receipts for all payments.

Maintenance & Repairs

Responsible for structural repairs and annual maintenance (or reimbursing up to 1 month's rent).

Responsible for minor day-to-day fixes and maintaining hygienic conditions.

Essential Services

Prohibited from cutting off essential utilities (electricity and water).

Guaranteed uninterrupted supply of utilities as long as rent is paid.

Conclusion

The Chhattisgarh Rent Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026 creates a balanced structure for rental housing. By protecting landlords from property misuse while safeguarding tenants against arbitrary rent hikes and sudden evictions, this bill provides a transparent blueprint for urban housing governance