Rent renewals under the RERA index: what can and cannot be raised

The calculator sets the cap

A landlord cannot raise the rent by whatever they like. The rental index compares your contract against the average for similar units in the same area and produces a permitted increase in bands — no increase at all where you are within ten per cent of the average, rising in steps to a maximum where you are well below it.

Ninety days, and why most disputes fail here

Any change to a renewal — rent, term, conditions — has to be notified at least ninety days before the contract ends unless both sides agree otherwise in writing. A landlord who serves notice at sixty days has not served valid notice, and the contract renews on its existing terms.

Most renewals that go to dispute are decided on this point rather than on the figure, because the figure is arithmetic and the notice is a fact.

If you disagree

Run the calculator yourself, put your reading in writing, and keep the exchange. Where that does not settle it, the rental disputes centre hears the case for a filing fee that is a small percentage of the annual rent. Pay the undisputed portion in the meantime — arrears weaken an otherwise good case.