Landlord's Maintenance and Repair Obligations — Uttar Pradesh

Repair and maintenance obligations in urban tenancies in Uttar Pradesh are now governed by §15 of the Uttar Pradesh Regulation of Urban Premises Tenancy Act, 2021, together with the Schedule to the Act. The 2021 Act replaced the UP Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972 (it was first enacted as Ordinance No. 2/2021 and Ordinance No. 3/2021 and is deemed in force from 11 January 2021), and it now governs almost every new urban residential or commercial tenancy in the state. The Schedule splits maintenance responsibilities into Part A (landlord) and Part B (tenant). Unless the tenancy agreement expressly says otherwise, the Schedule allocation applies.

Part A — landlord's domain. Structural repairs, the exterior walls, the roof, the plumbing system, and electrical wiring up to the point of entry sit with the landlord. Essentially, anything that keeps the building standing, watertight and connected to services is the owner's responsibility.

Part B — tenant's domain. Internal fixtures and day-to-day minor upkeep are on the tenant. If the tenant fails to carry out Part B repairs, the landlord may carry them out and deduct the cost from the security depositMoney you pay at the start of a lease that the landlord holds to cover unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear. Most states cap the amount and require the landlord to return it (with an itemized list of any deductions) within a set number of days after you move out.; the tenant must then repay the deducted amount within 1 month of receiving written notice. Tenants should still push back if the landlord tries to deduct for items that, read against the Schedule, were actually Part A.

Security depositMoney you pay at the start of a lease that the landlord holds to cover unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear. Most states cap the amount and require the landlord to return it (with an itemized list of any deductions) within a set number of days after you move out.. The deposit is capped at 2 months' rent for residential premises and 6 months' rent for non-residential. It must be refunded on the date of handing over vacant possession, less lawful tenant liabilities.

Essential services and entry. Under §20, the landlord cannot withhold water, electricity or any other essential supply or service under any circumstances — it cannot be used as leverage during a repair dispute. Under §17, the landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice before entering the premises, including to inspect or carry out repairs.

Registration. Every tenancy agreement entered after 11 January 2021 must be in writing and submitted to the Rent Authority (Additional District Collector of the district) within 2 months of execution; the Rent Authority issues a unique identification number within 7 days. The Act does not apply to government-owned premises, company employee accommodation, or premises of religious or charitable institutions.

Worked example: Arun rents a flat in Lucknow. The monsoon causes a roof leak — structural, so Part A, landlord's responsibility. On 10 June he sends a registered letter to the landlord citing §15 of the UP Tenancy Act, 2021 and asking for repair within 30 days. The landlord ignores it. On 10 July, Arun files an application at the Rent Authority office (Additional District Collector, Lucknow); the Rent Authority must resolve within 60 days. Throughout the dispute, the landlord cannot cut off Arun's water or electricity — §20 forbids it — and cannot enter without 24 hours' notice under §17.