Property Guide
Tenancy Agreement and Tenant Registration in Quetta: A Landlord's Checklist
What a Quetta landlord needs before a tenant moves in: a written, attested tenancy agreement, two references, and police registration within three days under Balochistan law.
By Naimat Khan7 min read
If you rent out a house, flat or portion in Quetta, two things matter from day one: a clear written tenancy agreement, and registering the tenant with the local police station or Levies thana. Balochistan law requires the agreement to be in writing, attested, and reported to the police within three days of signing. This guide explains what to put in the agreement, how registration works, and the everyday checks that prevent disputes later.
Why a written tenancy agreement matters in Quetta
Many rentals in Quetta still start with a handshake and an advance payment. That works until something goes wrong: rent is late, the tenant sublets, a repair bill arrives, or either side wants to end the arrangement early. A written agreement records what both sides accepted, so there is less room for argument.
In Balochistan it is also a legal requirement. Under section 3 of the Rented Buildings (Security) Act, 2015, when an owner, lessee or manager lets anyone other than the owner's legal heirs occupy a building, the arrangement must be put in a written document signed by the landlord, the tenant and the property dealer if one was involved.
What the law requires before a tenant moves in
A signed and attested agreement
The agreement must contain enough information to identify the tenant and must be attested by a Magistrate, Notary Public or Oath Commissioner. In practice, most landlords prepare the agreement on stamp paper and have it attested by an Oath Commissioner or notary near the district courts.
Due care in checking the tenant
The Act places a duty on the landlord to take due care in verifying the tenant's credentials, so the property is not used for unlawful activity. At minimum, see the original CNIC, keep an attested copy, and confirm the tenant's permanent address and previous residence.
Two references
The agreement must include at least two references who can vouch for the tenant, with their CNIC details and contact numbers. Call both references before signing; do not simply copy numbers onto the form.
How tenant registration with the police works
Under section 4 of the Act, the landlord (and the property dealer, if any) must give the required information to the officer in charge of the local police station or Levies thana within three days of signing the agreement. This is done on the prescribed tenant information form. In April 2026 the Balochistan home department repeated that registration is mandatory across the province, including Quetta, and that no one should be given accommodation without a national identity card.
Documents usually submitted with the form:
- Attested copy of the rent agreement
- Attested copy of the tenant's CNIC
- Names, CNIC copies and phone numbers of the two references
- Details of adult male family members (over 14) who will live with the tenant
- CNIC copies of the owner and, if involved, the property dealer
Once satisfied, the officer issues a tenant acknowledgement receipt. Keep the original safely and give the tenant a copy: under section 6, the police or Levies can ask a tenant to produce the agreement and receipt, and the tenant must do so within 24 hours.
Penalties
Contravening sections 3 to 6 of the Act is punishable with imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both. A landlord or dealer who failed to verify a tenant with due care can also face abetment charges if the tenant commits an offence. The home department has also warned of criminal cases and sealing of premises for violations. Registration takes one visit; skipping it is not worth the risk.
What to include in the tenancy agreement
The law sets minimum identity requirements, but a useful agreement covers the commercial terms too. The table below is a practical checklist.
| Clause | What to write |
|---|---|
| Parties and property | Full names, CNIC numbers and addresses of landlord and tenant; full address of the property and which portion is let (e.g. ground floor only) |
| Term | Start date, length (commonly 11 months or one year) and how renewal works |
| Rent and due date | Monthly amount in figures and words, due date, and payment method (bank transfer is easier to prove than cash) |
| Security deposit | Amount, what it can be used for (unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear) and the timeline for refund |
| Annual increase | Any agreed increase on renewal, stated as a percentage or amount |
| Utilities and charges | Who pays electricity, gas, water and any society maintenance charges; meter readings on handover |
| Repairs | Minor repairs by tenant, structural and major repairs by landlord; how urgent repairs are reported |
| Use and subletting | Residential or commercial use only as agreed; no subletting or change of use without written consent |
| Notice and exit | Notice period for either side, condition on handover, and final inspection |
| References | Two references with CNIC and phone numbers, as required by law |
Attach an inventory
For a furnished or partly furnished house, attach a signed list of fittings (geysers, fans, ACs, kitchen cabinets, light fittings) and take dated photos of each room. This is the most useful document when the deposit is settled at the end.
Stamp paper
The value of stamp paper for a rent agreement depends on the rent and the term under the stamp law applied in Balochistan. Ask a licensed stamp vendor or your lawyer for the correct value rather than relying on a figure used for someone else's agreement.
Rent disputes and ending a tenancy
In urban areas of Balochistan, including Quetta, the Balochistan Urban Rent Restriction Ordinance, 1959 provides for a Rent Controller to deal with matters such as fixing fair rent and landlord applications to evict a tenant. Grounds for eviction under the Ordinance include unpaid rent, unauthorised subletting and damage to the building, among others.
The practical point for landlords: do not try to force a tenant out by changing locks, removing belongings or cutting off utilities. Keep records (the agreement, rent receipts or bank transfers, written notices) and take legal advice if a tenant will not leave or pay.
Practical landlord checklist
- 1Meet the tenant, see the original CNIC and confirm previous address.
- 2Call both references.
- 3Draft the agreement with the clauses above; sign it with the tenant and dealer.
- 4Have it attested by an Oath Commissioner, Notary Public or Magistrate.
- 5Register the tenant at the local police station or Levies thana within three days and keep the acknowledgement receipt.
- 6Record meter readings and complete the signed inventory with photos.
- 7Collect rent through a traceable channel and issue receipts.
- 8Keep the rental income on record for your tax return (see our guide on filer vs non-filer property tax).
Example
An owner lets the upper portion of a house on a one-year agreement. The tenant moves in on the 5th; the agreement was signed and attested on the 3rd. The owner should have submitted the registration form by the 6th, because the three days run from signing, not from moving in. Signing and registering on the same day avoids this trap.
How NASASI Estate helps
NASASI Estate helps Quetta property owners with rental advisory, preparing and reviewing tenancy paperwork, and coordinating with local offices for documentation. For owners who live abroad, we can help arrange local support for handovers and documents. See our advisory services, read more about rental income areas in Quetta, or contact us to discuss your property.
Frequently asked questions
Is police registration of tenants compulsory in Quetta?
Yes. The Balochistan Restriction of Rented Buildings (Security) Act, 2015 requires the landlord to inform the local police or Levies officer in charge within three days of signing the rent agreement, and the home department confirmed in April 2026 that registration is mandatory across the province.
Who has to attest the rent agreement?
The Act requires attestation by a Magistrate, Notary Public or Oath Commissioner.
Does the property dealer have any responsibility?
Yes. If a dealer arranged the tenancy, the dealer signs the agreement and shares the duty to provide information to the police.
Can I evict a tenant myself if rent is not paid?
No. In urban Balochistan, eviction disputes go through the Rent Controller under the Urban Rent Restriction Ordinance, 1959. Take legal advice before acting.
