Gujarat Assembly passes new Rent Bill to replace 1947 law

The Gujarat Assembly has unanimously passed the Gujarat Rent Bill, 2026, which replaces the Bombay Rents, Hotel and Lodging House Rates Control Act of 1947. The new legislation establishes a modern legal framework for both residential and commercial rental agreements across the state.

Key provisions of the bill include the mandatory use of written rent agreements and the creation of a digital platform in Gujarati to register these documents. Each agreement will be assigned a unique identification number. To protect tenants, the bill caps advance security deposits at three months' rent and requires the return of deposits within one month of vacating a property. Additionally, landlords are prohibited from cutting off essential services like water or electricity.

To resolve conflicts, the bill introduces a three-tier dispute resolution system consisting of a Rent Authority, a Rent Court, and a Rent Tribunal. This structure is designed to provide time-bound resolutions for issues such as non-payment of rent, property damage, or unauthorized subletting.