INCOME TAX10 Sept 2026
Left your PG, and your landlord is refusing to return your deposit? Know your rights as a tenant | Mint
After a building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan, many paying guests (PGs) leaving unsafe rooms say landlords are refusing to refund their security deposits. The Delhi High Court, in a 22 March 2024 ruling, said the landlord must refund the deposit when you hand back vacant possession, and if they delay, you may stay rent-free until the refund. Keep your written agreement and rent receipts safe.
Key Statutory Highlights
- The Satya Niketan building collapse brought attention to PG owners who avoid refunding security deposits to tenants leaving unsafe buildings.
- A Delhi High Court ruling dated 22 March 2024 says the landlord must refund the security deposit when the tenant hands over vacant possession, after allowed deductions for unpaid rent and dues.
- Under that ruling, if the landlord delays the refund, the tenant can keep the premises rent-free until the deposit and interest on the delay are paid.
Actionable Advice for Taxpayers / Founders:Keep your written rental agreement and payment receipts, hand over vacant possession in writing, and ask for your deposit refund in writing. If the landlord still refuses, speak to a lawyer — what applies depends on your agreement and the facts of your case, so no outcome is guaranteed.
Statutory Disclaimer: TaxQue Shorts are AI-assisted editorial briefs for compliance awareness. This brief has not passed every source check; confirm the original notification before acting. This does not constitute formal legal or CA counsel.
TaxQue News Desk
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