Renting out your property can be a practical source of income.
But it also comes with a share of legal responsibilities.
One of the most important – yet often ignored – steps in this process is police verification of the tenant.
Not only is it a legal requirement in many states, but it’s also a crucial safeguard for your property and personal security.
Let’s break down what tenant police verification is, why it matters, and how to do it step-by-step.
✅ What Is Police Verification of a Tenant?
Police verification is the official process of informing the local police station that you’re renting your property to someone.
It helps the authorities check if the tenant has any criminal background.
This process is usually governed by local laws and police department regulations, but increasingly backed by legal mandates under state rent control rules and public safety norms.
Legal basis: While there is no centralised law requiring police verification, many State Police Acts and local rules (e.g. Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, etc.) require landlords to submit tenant details.
Post 1 July 2024, police action can be taken under:
- Section 355 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for harbouring a criminal (if the landlord fails to report a suspicious tenant).
- Additional procedures are governed under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which replaced the CrPC.
⚠️ Why Police Verification Is Important
- Legal protection: If your tenant commits a crime, you could be held liable for not reporting their presence.
- Security measure: Police check helps rule out criminal backgrounds.
- Landlord safety: Safeguards your property and neighbours.
- Mandatory in some cities: Especially in metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad.
Failure to verify tenants has led to landlords being penalised in many cases.
📝 Step-by-Step Process to Do Tenant Police Verification in India
Here’s how you can do police verification either online or offline:
🖥️ Option 1: Online Process (Available in Major Cities)
- Visit the official city/state police website
E.g.- Delhi: https://www.delhipolice.nic.in
- Bengaluru: https://bcp.gov.in
- Mumbai: https://mumbaipolice.gov.in
- Navigate to the Tenant Verification Section
- Fill in the online tenant verification form
Include details like:
- Tenant’s name
- Aadhar/passport
- Previous address
- Occupation
- Duration of stay
- Your (landlord’s) details
- Upload supporting documents (scan copies):
- Tenant’s ID proof
- Rental agreement
- Photograph of tenant
- Landlord’s ID proof
- Submit and download the acknowledgment.
- Follow up with the local police station to complete the verification.
📝 Option 2: Offline Process (Traditional Method)
- Visit the local police station with:
- A completed tenant verification form (available at the station or online)
- Copy of rental agreement
- ID proofs and passport-size photos of tenant and landlord
- Submit the form with supporting documents.
- Police may visit the property for physical verification or conduct background checks via their system.
- Collect acknowledgment or verification receipt once the process is complete.
📑 Documents Required for Tenant Verification
Here’s a handy checklist:
| Document | Tenant | Landlord |
| Aadhar Card / Passport | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rental Agreement (signed) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Passport-size Photo | ✅ | ✅ |
| Completed Verification Form | ✅ | ✅ |
| PAN card (optional but useful) | ✅ | ✅ |
🛡️ Legal Consequences of Not Doing Police Verification
- Landlord can face legal consequences if the tenant is later found to be involved in unlawful activities.
- Police can file an FIR under Section 355 of the BNS, 2023, against the landlord for failing to report.
- You may lose legal support in eviction or other tenancy disputes.
🏙️ Which Indian Cities Require Police Verification?
It’s strongly encouraged or required in:
- Delhi NCR
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai and Pune
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Gurugram / Noida
- Chandigarh / Mohali
- Jaipur
- Ahmedabad
Even in smaller towns, it’s good practice to do police verification.
💡 Pro Tips from a Legal Perspective
- Always execute a notarised or registered rental agreement before police verification.
- Avoid verbal or informal renting arrangements.
- If you’re an NRI landlord, ensure your Power of Attorney (PoA) holder completes this process on your behalf.
🧾 Final Thoughts
Police verification is not just a formality—it’s your legal and moral responsibility as a landlord.
It adds a protective layer for both you and your tenant.
With rising urban tenancy and security concerns, it’s not a step worth skipping.
📌 Call to Action: Get Expert Help for Rental Agreements & Verification
At RJ Property Law, we specialise in drafting legally sound rental agreements, document verification, and title checks—without involving court representation.
If you’re renting out property anywhere in India, we can help you stay compliant and secure.
📩 Contact us today at ranjinijayaram@rjpropertylaw.com
📞 Call or WhatsApp: +91 80884 17193