We act for landlords and tenants: drafting agreements that will actually hold up, recovering arrears and deposits, and conducting eviction and rent control proceedings before the Rent Controller and the civil courts.
What we handle
- Residential and commercial tenancy agreements, leave and licence agreements
- Eviction proceedings on statutory grounds (default, sub-letting, reasonable requirement, dilapidation)
- Recovery of arrears of rent and security deposit
- Fixation of fair rent and Rent Controller proceedings
- Defence of tenants against illegal eviction, lockout or disconnection of utilities
- Disputes over old "thika" and inherited tenancies
Common questions
Can a landlord evict a tenant in Kolkata without going to court?
No. Forcible eviction, changing locks or cutting off water and electricity is unlawful and can attract both civil and criminal consequences. A landlord must obtain an order of eviction on one of the grounds recognised by the Premises Tenancy Act and have it executed through the court.
What are the valid grounds for eviction under the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act?
The main grounds are default in payment of rent, sub-letting without consent, the landlord's reasonable requirement for own occupation, the building requiring demolition or rebuilding, the tenant acquiring suitable alternative accommodation, and use of the premises for an unlawful purpose or in a manner that damages it. Each ground has its own proof requirements.
Does a rent agreement need to be registered in West Bengal?
A tenancy for more than eleven months, or a lease reserving yearly rent, must be registered to be fully enforceable as a lease. Many Kolkata agreements are deliberately kept at eleven months to avoid this, but an unregistered long-term arrangement weakens both sides when a dispute arises. We advise on the right structure for your situation.