Taking a Property on Rent

Azuro is Square Yards' dedicated property management subsidiary, founded by IIT Bombay alumni and acquired by Square Yards in 2020. It is India's largest professional rental and property management platform, with over $300 million in assets under management. When you rent an Azuro-managed home, you deal with a professional team — not an individual owner or broker — as your single point of contact for the entire tenancy.

The scale of Azuro's operations reflects the trust placed in the platform: 1,500+ homes managed, 3,000+ happy customers, over $6.5 million in annual rent processed, 1,000+ maintenance requests handled every month, and 300+ property inspections conducted monthly — with a service rating of 4.7 out of 5.

Every Azuro tenancy comes with the following as standard:

• A dedicated property manager as your single point of contact throughout the tenancy
• A legally drafted rent agreement with e-registration and stamp duty facilitation
• A Move-in Report documenting the property's condition with photographs before you take possession
• Digital rent payment via UPI, Net Banking, or credit card through the Azuro app, with automated receipts
• Maintenance support through the Azuro app — raise a service request and Azuro coordinates qualified vendors
• Quarterly property inspections
• A Move-out Audit comparing the property's condition against the original Move-in Report
• Home insurance cover for accidental damages during the tenancy
• Police verification handled by Azuro in compliance with local regulations

Before you move into an Azuro home, the team creates a detailed digital report photographing the exact condition of the property — including any existing damage, wear, or defects. At the end of your stay, deposit deductions are assessed only against damage that occurred during your time there. Pre-existing issues documented in the Move-in Report cannot be charged to you. This protects you from the most common source of landlord-tenant disputes at move-out.

Rent is paid through the Azuro app using UPI, Net Banking, or credit card. Digital receipts are issued for every payment and your full payment history is accessible in the app. Azuro settles payments to owners on a predictable schedule, so there are no disputes over payment records. Monthly reminders are also sent to ensure timely payments.

Raise a Service Request directly through the Azuro app. Azuro's team coordinates with verified vendors to assess and resolve the issue. Azuro handles over 1,000 maintenance requests every month across its managed homes. Routine maintenance and damage caused by you is your responsibility; structural issues and general wear-and-tear repairs are escalated to the owner before work begins. You are kept informed at every stage.

Azuro conducts a Move-out Audit comparing the property's current condition against the original Move-in Report. Any deductions for damage beyond fair wear and tear are assessed transparently and shared with you before the owner processes the remaining deposit refund. This eliminates arbitrary or inflated deductions — one of the most common points of friction in informal tenancies.

On select Azuro-managed homes, a Zero Deposit option is available, allowing you to move in without paying the traditional security deposit upfront. This significantly reduces the financial barrier to renting, particularly in cities where deposits can run to several months' rent. Check the individual home or ask about eligibility when you enquire.

Yes, a brokerage fee applies in most cases, consistent with standard market practice. The specific amount is communicated clearly before you finalise the rental. There are no hidden charges.

For these homes, Square Yards provides the discovery platform and facilitates your initial connection with the owner or agent. The rent agreement, security deposit, and ongoing maintenance are managed directly between you and the owner or agent. Square Yards does not manage or guarantee these tenancies.

ℹ️ We strongly recommend independently verifying the owner's identity and ownership credentials, reviewing all agreement terms carefully, and documenting the property's condition in writing before moving in.

A rent agreement is a legal contract between an owner and a tenant that sets out the terms of the tenancy — including rent amount, payment schedule, security deposit, notice period, permitted use of the property, and the obligations of both parties. It is the primary document protecting both sides during the tenancy.

A rent agreement (also called a leave and licence agreement in many Indian states, particularly Maharashtra) is typically for shorter durations — usually 11 months — and is easier to terminate.

A lease agreement is for longer periods (12 months or more), grants stronger rights to the tenant, and is harder to terminate.

Most residential rentals in India use the 11-month format to avoid lease provisions that require mandatory registration and confer stronger tenant rights.

Registration requirements vary by state. Agreements for 12 months or more generally require compulsory registration under the Registration Act. The widely used 11-month agreement is typically not compulsory to register, though registration is advisable for legal enforceability. Azuro facilitates e-registration and stamp duty for all its managed tenancies as standard.

For Azuro-managed homes, Azuro handles the complete agreement process — drafting, digital signatures, e-registration, and stamp duty — as part of every tenancy.

For homes offered by partner agents and owners, rent agreement assistance is available as an add-on service through the Square Yards platform. An Online Rent Agreement tool is also available independently at squareyards.com.

A well-drafted rental agreement should include: parties to the agreement (owner and tenant with ID and address); property description; tenure (start and end dates); rent amount, payment due date, and payment method; security deposit amount, conditions for deduction, and timeline for return; maintenance charge responsibility; notice period for both parties; renewal and rent escalation clauses; permitted use (residential/commercial); restrictions (pets, sub-letting, alterations); obligations for repairs; and dispute resolution mechanism. Both parties and two witnesses should sign every page.

The following are typically required:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport)
• Address proof (Aadhaar, utility bill, or driving licence)
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Last three months' salary slips or income proof
• Employer verification letter or offer letter (required by some owners)

For Azuro tenancies, Aadhaar and PAN are mandatory as part of the formal tenant verification process.

Security deposit norms vary significantly by city. In Bengaluru and Hyderabad, deposits of 6 to 10 months' rent are common. In Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and most other metros, deposits typically range from 2 to 3 months' rent. Always confirm the deposit amount upfront and ensure it is documented in your rent agreement, along with the timeline and conditions for its return.

An owner generally cannot increase rent during the fixed tenure of the agreement without your consent, unless the agreement itself contains an explicit rent escalation clause. Any increase typically takes effect at the time of agreement renewal. Review your agreement carefully for escalation terms before signing.

Most rent agreements specify a notice period of one to two months. This applies to both the tenant and the owner. Always check the exact notice period in your agreement — verbal or informal arrangements can lead to disputes. If your agreement does not specify a notice period, one month is a common reference point under general tenancy law.

Under Section 194-IB of the Income Tax Act, individual tenants paying rent exceeding ₹50,000 per month are required to deduct TDS at 5% (or the applicable rate at the time of payment) on the total annual rent, and issue a TDS certificate (Form 16C) to the owner. This is the tenant's responsibility. If you are unsure whether TDS applies to your tenancy, consult a tax advisor.

Core tenant rights include:

• The right to peaceful enjoyment of the rented property
• Protection against unlawful eviction without due notice and legal process
• The right to receive a rent receipt for every payment
• The right to a copy of the rent agreement
• Protection from discriminatory denial of essential services
• The right to have pre-existing property defects excluded from deposit deductions

Many states are progressively adopting the Model Tenancy Act, which strengthens protections for both tenants and owners.

No. An owner cannot evict a tenant without following due legal process, regardless of the circumstances. Forcible eviction, locking out a tenant, or removing belongings without a court order is illegal. If you face such a situation, you may approach the local Rent Authority, file a police complaint, or seek relief through a civil court. Your rent agreement and payment records are critical evidence in any such dispute.

If your owner is withholding your deposit without documented justification: first, send a written notice (email or registered post) requesting the refund with a specific deadline. If unresolved, you may approach the local Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, the Rent Authority in your state, or file a civil suit for recovery.

For Azuro tenancies, the Move-out Audit process and documented records significantly reduce the likelihood of such disputes arising in the first place.

Before committing to any non-Azuro home:

• Verify the owner's identity using government-issued ID and confirm ownership through title documents or society records
• Do not transfer any amount — including token money or deposit — on verbal commitments alone
• Inspect the property physically and document its condition in writing with photographs
• Confirm society maintenance dues, utility dues, and any pending charges before signing
• Review the rent agreement thoroughly before signing, particularly deposit terms, notice period, and renewal clauses

Police verification is a mandatory requirement in many Indian cities and states, where the owner or tenant must report the tenancy to the local police station. It involves submitting a form with the tenant's identity documents and photographs. Azuro handles police verification compliance as part of its managed tenancy process. For non-Azuro homes, check local requirements — this is a legal obligation in many jurisdictions and not merely advisory.

For Azuro-managed homes, tenant verification is conducted as standard for every tenancy. This includes identity verification using Aadhaar and PAN, credit history analysis, and civil and criminal court record checks, in addition to police verification in compliance with local regulations. For homes offered by partner agents and owners, background verification standards depend on the individual owner's preferences.

The process depends on the type of home:

Azuro homes: Contact your dedicated property manager first. If unresolved, raise a formal Service Request through the Azuro app to create a documented record. Unresolved escalations can be directed to the Azuro support team for review by a senior property management executive.

Homes offered by partner agents or owners: Your primary recourse is directly with the owner or agent. If your concern relates to Square Yards' conduct during the discovery or enquiry stage, raise a support ticket through the Square Yards app, write to customercare@squareyards.com, or visit the Contact Us section at squareyards.com.

Document the property's condition in writing with photographs at move-in. Pay rent on time through traceable means (UPI, bank transfer). Give written notice per your agreement. Ensure all utility dues are cleared before handover. Conduct a joint move-out inspection and get the owner's written acknowledgement of the property's condition. For Azuro tenancies, the Move-in Report and Move-out Audit provide this protection automatically.

You may register a DND (Do Not Disturb) request by writing to customercare@squareyards.com. Requests are processed within the timelines mandated under applicable regulations.