Facing a Rent Hike and Eviction: Is Our Landlord's Move Legal and Fair?

My wife is a physician and has had a clinic for more than 10 years in Chennai. She has been paying the rent regularly. During December 2017, the landlord informed us that they were increasing the rent from 3000 to 5000. After a lot of discussions, we agreed to pay the increased amount for the month of January 2018. However, on the 23rd of January 2018, the landlord called and requested that we vacate the premises because they had found other tenants willing to pay 7000 for the same shop. Since we do not have any other options, we are planning to vacate. Can anyone advise if we are making the correct decision in vacating? Is it legal for the landlord to increase the rent and also ask us to vacate at the same time?

Do you have a registered rent agreement with the landlord?

If there is no rent agreement, then it becomes difficult to stop the landlord from asking you to vacate. You can ask for some time to find a new place to shift at best.

Legal Rights and Actions Against Unfair Eviction

Do you have the signed agreement and follow the terms and conditions of that agreement? As the agreement holder, you can, at best, in writing, ask the landlord to provide sufficient time to leave the premises. The action of your landlord is unjust and unfair. You can sue the person for irrational behavior, loss due to change of address, suffering of the business, and cost of fixtures, etc. You need to contact a good civil lawyer for the same. The landlord can, under the terms and conditions of the agreement, only ask for vacating and increasing the rent.

Hi Nathrao and Prabhat,

We do have a registered rent agreement with the landlord. The information you've given has helped us to warn the landlord for their behavior.

Thank you, and we appreciate your help.