Atul Mahori 21 January 2026

Tenat did not pay rent and water bill

This is a case of Faridabad, Haryana.
My tenant vacated the flat around one month ago. He stayed there for around 2.5 years. He did not pay water bills for this whole period. I kept telling him but he kept giving excuses for many months. He also did not pay last month's rent. Also there was susbstantial damage to the flat which I was ok to ignore.
He was giving me assurances that he'll pay the dues but now he is not even picking my calls.

I would like to know under which laws he can be sent a legal notice to clear his dues. I understand that there is not much chance but I just want to try to give him something to worry.
I also fine if he has to spend the amount of dues in legal fees. You can think of it as teaching a lesson.

Please let me know about the procedure and approximate cost.

Thanks.

Reply Follow

5 Replies

Advocate Bhartesh goyal (advocate) 21 January 2026

Issue legal notice to tenant and demand due rent,waer charges and amount of damaged goods if tenant does not comply with notice then file civil recovery suit against him to recover due rent,water charges and amount of damaged items.

kavksatyanarayana (subregistrar/supdt.(retired)) 21 January 2026

Yes. You can issue a legal notice for the water charges and rent under the Indian Contract Act.

Dr. J C Vashista (Advocate ) 22 January 2026

Whether the electricity and water bill was to be paid by tenant in terms of rent agreement ? If so, why did you allow him to use it for 25 years ?

Even if you are planning to issue legal demand notice for outstanding rent, electricity & water charges and cost of repairs for damages incurred, it cannot be more than 3 years.

Otherwise, how much money is calculated to be outstanding, if it is in some thousands, forget it and enjoy peace of life, by contentment, since you will be torturing yourself mentally, physically and financially.

T. Kalaiselvan, Advocate (Advocate) 22 January 2026

Regular payment of water tax, electricity bills, monthly rental amount is part of the terms of agreement, failure to comply with it amounts to wilful default, hence you can issue him a legal notice demanding him to pay the arrears and vacate the premises immediately, failing to comply you may file an eviction suit.

Jatin Bajaj 29 January 2026

This is the major breach of contract with respect to non- payment of rent charges for last month and electricity charges. Even if the rent agreement has ended, arrears shall survive even after termination. The law that supports your questions are Indian Contract Act 1872 and Tranfer of Property Act 1882 (Tenant obligations to pay rent and charges).

First of all legal notice shall be sent for recovery of outstanding dues. If no money is paid within stipulated time period or legal notice is ignored, then file Summary or regular suit before Faridabad court. Jurisdiction will depend upon the location of the property. Criminal remedies such as cheating may be mentioned cautiously in the notice if false assurances were given repeatedly. Even if recovery is uncertain, the notice and subsequent court proceedings act as sufficient legal pressure. Legal notice costs are modest and often prompt settlement.