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Lease commercial office, retail, or industrial premises in India with a professionally drafted Commercial Lease Agreement. Our template addresses the Transfer of Property Act 1882, applicable state Rent Control Acts, GST at 18% on commercial rent, stamp duty, and mandatory registration for leases over one year.
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| PREMISES | Unit 4A, 4th Floor, Peninsula Business Park, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013 |
| FLOOR / UNIT | 4th Floor, Unit 4A |
| AREA | 2500 sq ft |
| PERMITTED USE | Office / IT / ITES Use |
| COMMENCEMENT DATE | 1 May 2026 |
| LEASE DURATION | 3 years |
| MONTHLY RENT | 2,50,000.00 INR (exclusive of GST) |
| SECURITY DEPOSIT | 7,50,000.00 INR |
| ANNUAL ESCALATION | 5% per annum |
| LOCK-IN PERIOD | 18 months |
Available as a print-ready PDF or an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) file.
A Commercial Lease Agreement is a written contract between a landlord (lessor) and a business tenant (lessee) for the rental of commercial premises — such as office space, retail shops, warehouses, factory sheds, or industrial land — in India for business purposes. Unlike a residential lease, a commercial lease is typically not subject to rent control protection under state Rent Control Acts (most Indian Rent Control Acts specifically exclude commercial properties from their protective provisions). This makes a commercial lease more freely negotiable in India, with market rent and terms determined by agreement.
Commercial leases in India are primarily governed by the Transfer of Property Act 1882, which defines the rights and obligations of the lessor and lessee, including the lessee's right to peaceful possession, the lessor's right to rent, and the provisions for renewal and termination. Commercial leases in India typically run for three to nine years (with renewal options), and lock-in periods during which neither party can terminate are standard for major commercial tenancies. Rent escalation clauses (typically 5–15% annually) are common and enforceable. Where the commercial property is a new commercial building under RERA (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act 2016), RERA registration requirements may apply.
GST at 18% applies to commercial rent under the CGST Act 2017 when the landlord is a GST-registered person. The tenant can claim input tax credit (ITC) on the GST paid on commercial rent if the property is used for business purposes. Stamp duty and registration are mandatory for commercial leases exceeding one year under the Registration Act 1908 and the applicable state Stamp Act. The stamp duty on a commercial lease in India is typically applied on the total rent payable over the lease term and varies significantly by state. In high-value commercial markets such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, stamp duty and registration charges on commercial leases can be substantial.
Our India-specific Commercial Lease Agreement template covers all essential provisions for a legally sound commercial tenancy.
Identifies the landlord and tenant with full legal names, addresses, and CIN (for companies), and describes the leased premises with Survey/CTS number and area.
Specifies the lease term, commencement date, renewal options, and any lock-in period during which termination is restricted.
States the monthly rent in ₹, escalation schedule (typically 5–15% per annum), GST at 18% under the CGST Act 2017, and rent payment due dates.
Specifies the security deposit amount, conditions for refund, and the landlord's right to deduct for unpaid rent or damage.
Restricts use of the premises to the specified commercial purpose and prohibits hazardous, illegal, or residential use.
Allocates responsibility for interior maintenance (tenant) and structural repairs (landlord) in accordance with the Transfer of Property Act 1882.
Sets conditions for tenant fit-out, alterations, and reinstatement at the end of the lease — a common source of disputes in Indian commercial leases.
Addresses responsibility for electricity, water, common area maintenance (CAM) charges, and other outgoings for the leased premises.
Specifies the lock-in period during which neither party may terminate without paying a break penalty — standard for prime commercial leases in Indian cities.
Notes the obligation to pay stamp duty and register the lease deed at the Sub-Registrar's office under the Registration Act 1908 and the applicable state Stamp Act.
Sets out notice requirements for termination, grounds for eviction, and the procedure for recovering possession of commercial premises in India.
Includes an arbitration clause under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 for resolving commercial lease disputes efficiently.
Follow these steps to prepare a legally compliant commercial lease for Indian premises.
Agree on the rent, escalation rate, security deposit (typically 3–12 months' rent for commercial properties in India), lease term, lock-in period, and renewal options before drafting.
Conduct due diligence on the landlord's title to the commercial property — check the sale deed, encumbrance certificate, and occupancy certificate. For RERA-registered properties, verify on the RERA portal.
Prepare the lease deed covering all commercial terms, including GST obligations, permitted use, maintenance, and termination provisions.
Calculate and pay the applicable stamp duty under the state Stamp Act. Register the lease deed at the Sub-Registrar's office under the Registration Act 1908. Both landlord and tenant must be present (or represented by a PoA holder) at registration.
Document the condition of the premises at handover — photographs, condition report — to establish the baseline for reinstatement obligations at the end of the lease.
Four things that make our templates more thorough than AI-generated drafts and more current than static template libraries.
Drafted with legal expertise for each jurisdiction, far more thorough than AI-generated drafts that copy generic clauses across borders.
Templates carrying statute references are continuously updated as the law changes. Your document always reflects the current legal framework.
Free to download. Vector text, embedded fonts, statute citations baked in. Print, sign, file. Ready for any signing flow including electronic signature.
Continue editing in Word after download. Add custom clauses, reuse the template for similar agreements, or share with a colleague for collaborative review.
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These are the key Indian legal requirements for commercial property leasing.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Indian advocate or legal practitioner for advice specific to your situation.
Reviewed for Indian law
The Transfer of Property Act 1882 governs leases of immovable property in India. It defines the rights and duties of lessors and lessees, including the lessee's right to peaceful possession, the lessor's right to rent, and the procedure for termination. The Act requires a written deed for leases exceeding one year, and such leases must be registered under the Registration Act 1908. An unregistered lease for over one year is inadmissible as evidence of the lease terms in Indian courts.
Under the CGST Act 2017, renting of commercial premises by a GST-registered landlord attracts GST at 18%. The landlord must charge GST on rent invoices and file GST returns. The tenant (if registered for GST) can claim ITC on the GST paid on commercial rent. RCM (Reverse Charge Mechanism) applies in certain cases where the landlord is unregistered. Residential property rented to businesses also attracts GST under certain conditions.
Commercial leases exceeding one year must be registered under the Registration Act 1908. Stamp duty is calculated on the total rent payable over the lease term (and sometimes also on the security deposit) under the applicable state Stamp Act. Rates vary significantly by state. An unregistered lease of over one year is inadmissible as evidence of the lease terms in Indian courts, though it may be admitted for collateral purposes.
For commercial properties not covered by state Rent Control Acts, eviction on expiry of the lease term or for breach of lease conditions is governed by the Transfer of Property Act 1882. The landlord must give proper notice under Section 106 of the TPA and, if the tenant refuses to vacate, must file an eviction suit before the civil court. Indian courts typically take several years to decide eviction suits, making commercial leases with strong break and termination provisions important.
Use Doxuno's free Commercial Lease Agreement template to establish a professional commercial tenancy in India. Covers GST, stamp duty, registration, and all essential Indian property law provisions.
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