Your home in India is empty or rented out: an NRI checklist

An empty or rented home in India stays safe and earning when five things are covered: regular inspections, a verified tenant on a registered agreement, rent that is followed up, bills and society dues paid on time, and keys with one accountable person. If it is rented, your tenant must also deduct TDS on the rent, which you can claim back in your tax return.

What to do

1. Get a baseline inspection with photos of every room, so you can spot changes later.
2. If you want to rent it out, verify the tenant and register the rent agreement.
3. Set up rent follow-up and payment of bills and society dues, with receipts every month.
4. Keep keys with one accountable person, not with neighbours or the society office.
5. Check TDS on your rent, and apply for a lower TDS certificate if too much is being deducted.

Common questions

How often should an empty flat be inspected? Once a month is a good routine, with an extra visit after heavy rain.

Do I need to register my rent agreement? Registration is required for longer agreements and strongly advised for any length, because it protects you if there is a dispute.

Ask SafeNRI about this