Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the Jammu and Kashmir Tenancy Rules, 2026, laying down a comprehensive framework to regulate landlord-tenant relations across the Union Territory.
The Rules, notified by the Housing and Urban Development Department, operationalise the Jammu and Kashmir Tenancy Act enacted by the Legislative Assembly.
According to the notified Rules, every tenancy agreement must be reported to the Rent Authority within two months of its execution, either physically or through an online platform. The Rent Authority will issue a Unique Identification Number (UIN) and an e-receipt to both the landlord and tenant within seven working days.
The Rules also require the Rent Authority to establish a digital platform in local or official languages for submission of tenancy-related documents and applications. The authority has been directed to ensure the privacy and security of all information submitted by the parties.
The Rules specify that details of tenancy agreements, including renewals, extensions and supplementary agreements, will remain accessible only to the concerned parties and authorised officials, and will not be available to the public.
They also lay down a mechanism for resolving disputes over revision of rent and other charges. The Rent Authority will hear both parties, consider prevailing market rates in the locality and determine the revised rent. It may also appoint government-recognised property valuers to assist in the process.
The Rules further provide that tenants may deposit rent with the Rent Authority if a landlord refuses to accept payment.
In addition, landlords who fail to refund advance rent or security deposits will be liable to pay interest at the Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s Marginal Cost of Lending Rate (MCLR), according to the Rules.
The government had placed the draft Rules in the public domain on April 15, 2026, and no suggestions or objections were received during the prescribed 15-day consultation period, officials said. (KNO)
