Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Submitted by:
Name- Akankshu Sodhi
PRN: 201010125364
Div: D
Course: B.A. L.L.B (Hons.) Batch: 2021-26
INTRODUCTION
In this modern world, the life of human beings is closely related with the Properties and the
two have become interrelated and inseparable. The purchase or disposal of property requires
a legitimate legal transfer, much as social life requires contact, trade, or transfer. Due to the
lack of legislative requirements, several competing case laws arose regarding the transfer of
property under the principles of English law and equity. in India before its independence. The
situation was rectified in 1882 with the passage of the Transfer of Property Act, which to this
day establishes the parameters for the transfer of property between the living and the dead in
India. The Act, which stands as a monumental piece of legislation, lays down the legal
framework for the transfer of immovable property in India. Leasing is an important part of its
framework since it allows one party to transfer possession of real property to another for a set
or variable amount of time in return for payment. The Transfer of Property Act of 1882, in its
whole, provides a solid legal foundation for the initiation, transmission, and termination of
leasehold rights. The laws pertaining to leases of immovable property may be found in
Chapter V (Sections 105 to 117) of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882.
According to Mulla, ‘a lease is a contract between the lessor and the lessee for the
possession and profits of land, etc., on one side and the recompense by rent or other
considerations on the others’
Oxford Dictionary of Law defines it as “a contract under which an owner of property
grants another person exclusive possession of the property for an agreed period, in return
for rent and sometimes for a capital sum known as a premium.
Section 105 of the Transfer of Property Act (TPA 1) stipulates that a lease of immovable
property is a transfer of the right to use the property for a certain time, either express or
implied, or forever, in exchange for a price paid or promised, or money, a share of crops,
service, or any other thing of value that the transferee agrees to give to the transferor on a
regular basis or at certain times.
This section provides additional definitions for "lessor," "lessee," "rent," and "premium."
1
The person who transfers the property is called the lessor, and the person who receives it is
called the lessee. The price is known as the premium, while the money, portion, or other item
to be rendered is known as the rent.
It can be deduced from the preceding definitions that the fundamental concept of lease is the
separation of possession and ownership. The title remains with the lessor upon execution of
the lease-deed, while the right of enjoyment transfers to the lessee. A lease is not a transfer
of ownership but rather a transmission of a fractional interest in an immovable property.
In Byramjee Jeejeebhoy (P) Ltd. v. State of Maharashtra 2, the Supreme Court explained
that "a lease is a transfer of the right to enjoy land for a term or in perpetuity in exchange for
the price paid or promised or service or other things of value to be rendered periodically or on
specified occasions to the transferor of the property."
ILLUSTRATION- A gives his house on rent to B by executing a lease in his favour for 10
years. B is entitled to live here and if he complies with the terms and conditions, and does not
commit a breach of any condition, A cannot terminate the agreement at his will or throw B
out at his pleasure. If an option is given to the lessor by the lessee himself to resume the
leasehold, it is a personal covenant and does not create an interest in the land.
2
ESSENTIALS OF A LEASE
Parties to a lease
Subject Matter
Transfer of Right
Duration of Lease
Consideration
According to the factual matrix, Mr. X, one of the proprietors in Baner, Pune, permitted Mr.
Y, an industrialist, to use his 1-acre property for parking for Y's retail emporium and two
theatres for an annual rental fee of Rs. 5 Lakh. The transaction described above is a lease.
Mr. X, the transferor or lessor, has leased his 1 acre property to Mr. Y, the transferee or
lessee, for an annual rent of Rs. 5 lakhs. According to the factual matrix, the tenancy began
on March 23, 2021. However, the factual matrix reveals a second transaction. After two
years, on 23rd March, 2023, Mr. X asked Mr. Y for Rs. 50 Lakh in advance as the rent for the
next ten years collectively (annual rent of Rs. Assuming Mr. Y accepts the transaction and
completes the formalities on the same day, the transaction has the characteristics of a lease,
with Mr. X as the lessor, Mr. Y as the lessee, and Rs. 50 Lakhs as the rent, as rent can be
paid periodically or in advance. Due to the fact that it is a mutual agreement that modifies an
essential provision of the original lease (advance rent instead of periodic rent), it is
equivalent to a new lease.
ANALYSIS
1. Registered instrument required if lease made year to year, more than a year or if
yearly rent paid.
2. Both lessor and lessee to execute the said registered instrument.
3. Other leases can be oral or be unregistered.4
It is given in the factual matrix that the existing lease has a yearly payment of rent clause.
Therefore, it is a registered instrument. Now, it is to be shown how the existing and the future
agreements would be leases:
4
AVTAR SINGH, supra note 2
per year.
Lease to be Examining the factual matrix The proposal itself states that the
made in reveals that the rent is payable agreement would be more than a
Accordance annually, making it a registered year, requiring it to be a registered
with Section instrument pursuant to Section 107. instrument. Therefore, it is in
107. accordance with Section 107.
Given that it has been established that both contracts are leases, the proposed lease would
require modifications. According to the factual matrix, the following actions must be taken:
1. Termination of Existing Lease - The existing lease would expire, and given the
factual matrix, if both parties concur, express surrender would be the most likely
method.
2. Creation of New Lease - The new lease must be created with the following
considerations in mind:
The two leases outlined in the factual matrix are categorised as "commercial leases" due to
their intended use for parking and two theatres. The term "periodic leases" refers to a type of
lease that has been defined in the legal case of S. Rajdev Singh v. Punchip Associates 5as a
lease that exhibits continuity of duration from one period to the next.
The factual matrix does not explicitly indicate, however, in the case of a lease agreement
where the duration of the lease is unspecified but periodic rent is reserved or paid, there
exists a presumption of a "periodic lease". The presumed period is equivalent to the
duration for which rent is paid. According to the ruling in the case of Ashutosh v. Chandi
Charan6, the payment of Rs. 5 Lakhs in rent on a yearly basis constitutes a periodic lease.
According to Section 107 of the Act, the initial transaction involving the lease of immovable
property for a year or more must be carried out through a registered instrument. Additionally,
as per Section 107(3) of the Act, the registered instrument must be executed by both Mr. X
and Mr. Y.
In accordance with Section 107 read with 107(3) of the Act, the execution of a registered
instrument by Mr. X and Mr. Y is required for the second transaction, which pertains to a
fresh lease of the immovable property exceeding one year.
Assuming the absence of any contradictory provisions in the lease agreements executed by
Mr. X and Mr. Y, the respective rights and obligations of the lessor and lessee are stipulated
in Section 108 7of the aforementioned Act.
2. Duty to give possession- Clause (b) says that the lessor is bound on the lessee's
request to put him in possession of the property. The aforementioned provision
entails a legal duty upon the lessor to ensure that the lessee is granted access to the
leased property. The obligation of the lessor to provide possession is contingent
upon the lessee's request for such action. In the event that a lessor neglects to
provide the lessee with possession, the lessee retains the right to initiate legal action
against the lessor in order to obtain possession. In case the lessee has already paid
rent, he may sue for damages as well as for recovering back the amount paid as
rent9. Where the lessee gets possession of only a part of the lease property he may
repudiate the lease. But where he wants to retain that part he must pay rent for that
occupied part. If the leased property is in the possession of any third person, the
lessee may also sue him along with the lessor.
3. Covenant for Quiet Enjoyment- Clause (c) provides that the lessor shall be deemed
to contract with the lessee that, if the lessee pays the rent reserved under the lease
and performs the contracts binding on the lessee, he may hold the property during
the time limited by the lease without interruption. The lessor bears the responsibility
of guaranteeing that the lessee is not subjected to any form of interference from the
lessor or any other party throughout the lease term. In cases where the lessee's
peaceful enjoyment has been disrupted, they have the right to seek compensation in
8
AIR 1974 Raj 210
9
AIR 1989 SC 1834
the form of damages that are commensurate with the current value of the potential
profits that they have been deprived of10.
The case of Pemmarazu v. The Secretary of State of India 11established that in situations
where a lessor is incapable of providing the stipulated area to the lessee, the lessor is
obligated to provide compensation to the lessee in the form of damages.
10
Katyayani Debi v. Udoy Kumar Das AIR 1925 PC 27
11
1911) 34 Mad 108
12
1902 13 Cal 269
13
AIR 1965 AP167
14
AIR 1927 Bom 115
out. Neglect on the part of the lessor resulting in the property becoming unsuitable
for habitation would be deemed unacceptable. Therefore, the lessee may claim costs
in case of damage due to neglect of the lessor15 .
15
AIR 1927 Oudh 609
16
1901 6 Cal 336
17
AIR 1963 All 568
18
AIR 1942 Oudh 460
According to Clause (k), the lessee is obligated to reveal to the lessor any
information regarding the nature or scope of the interest that the lessee is going to
acquire, provided that the lessee is aware of such information but the lessor is not,
and that such information significantly enhances the value of the interest. In the event
that a lessee becomes aware of the presence of a gold mine on the leased premises, it
is incumbent upon them to disclose this information to the lessor. The non-disclosure
or neglect of the lessee to notify the lessor of such information does not constitute
fraudulent behaviour, and therefore, the lessor is not authorised to terminate the lease
agreement on such grounds. Nevertheless, the lessor retains the right to initiate legal
proceedings against the lessee for compensatory damages as held in Dr. K. A.
Dhairyawan And Others v. J. R. Thakur And Others.19
In Paritosh Ghosh v. Ashim Kumar Gupta 23case, where the tenant made holes in walls for
fixing air coolers, replaced brass water caps by plastic caps, in violation of leases agreement,
the eviction of the tenant was held proper.
NOTE
Section 108 does not provide for any specific right of the lessor but, because the rights and
duties are co-relative, the liabilities of the lessee, which are given under this section, are the
rights of lessor.
AUTHOR’S OBSERATION
The lessee possesses the option to resort to legal proceedings to uphold their rights, however,
there exist various technicalities that impede the lessor from pursuing legal action to enforce
the lessee's obligations. A legal loophole is present in the form of tenancy at sufferance. A
tenancy at sufferance refers to the situation where a tenant remains in lawful possession of a
property without the owner's consent. The sole differentiation between a holdover tenant at
sufferance and a trespasser lies in the fact that the former initially obtained lawful possession
but has since exceeded the permissible duration of their stay. The legal categorization of an
individual as a trespasser upon remaining on a property where they had previously held a
lease agreement may vary depending on the state's legal definitions and criteria. The initiation
of eviction proceedings is among the potential factors that could result in a tenancy of
23
2003 AIHC 291 (297, 298) (Cal)
sufferance. This scenario may arise when a lessee's lease duration elapses, yet they fail to
vacate the premises, and the lessor intends to rent out the area to fresh occupants. In the event
of a renter's noncompliance with the lease agreement, the landlord or property owner may
initiate legal proceedings to effectuate eviction. However, it is typically the case that the
tenant retains possession of the premises and cannot be subjected to forcible removal.
There are multiple factors that show that the lease is slightly biased towards the lessee. The
act provides for both but the in practical world lessor often has to suffer because of lessee's
non-compliance with the agreement. Often Lessor has to spend time and energy claiming
what actually belongs to him. After examining the rights and liabilities of both the lessor and
the lessee, we can see that, despite the fact that the lessor owns the property, the lessee is in a
better position. The lessee has custody of the property, and noncompliance by the lessee
frequently leads to the lessor taking legal action to enforce his rights. Due to the
overburdening of the courts and the pending nature of the cases, this can take years. There is
a need for a process that ensures the lessor feels safe and that he has access to a quicker and
more convenient remedy.
SUGGESTION
Currently, the Transfer of Property Act serves as the principal legislative framework
governing leases. The diverse facets of the subject matter are contingent upon the legal
regulations and other legislative measures implemented at the state or local level. The Real
Estate (Regulation and Development) Act of 2016, commonly known as RERA, aims to
enhance transparency in the real estate sector and establish effective mechanisms for
resolving disputes between parties involved in lease agreements. Therefore, X and Y have the
option to pursue said Act as a means of resolving the issue. The determination of stamp duty
on lease agreements is governed by the Stamp Duty Act, and its application varies across
different states. Moreover, it is imperative to note that the Income Tax Act of 1961 imposes
tax obligations on both parties with regards to lease agreements. Primarily, the tax burden
falls upon X, although Y may also incur the tax liability and subsequently seek
reimbursement from X. Registration of the agreement is mandatory in accordance with the
Indian Registration Act. The Indian courts and law commission have suggested the
consolidation of enactments to facilitate transactions, as a result of the diverse legislations
governing a particular aspect.
Thus, upon drawing parallels between the aforementioned provisions and the hypothetical
situation enumerated in the factual matrix, the following conclusion can be drawn.
In both instances of lease transactions, the lessor is identified as Mr. X. In accordance with
Section 108(a), it is incumbent upon Mr. X to divulge any significant flaw in the leased
property that he is privy to, but Mr. Y is not, and that cannot be detected through ordinary
diligence. For instance, if Mr. X is aware of a subsurface crack that was unearthed during a
land survey and that, if left unaddressed, could result in the collapse of any structure built
over it, it is his responsibility to disclose this information to Mr. Y, who would not be able to
identify such a concealed yet consequential defect through ordinary care.
In accordance with Section 108(b), it is incumbent upon Mr. X to ensure that Mr. Y is
granted possession of the premises that are subject to the lease agreement. As per Section
108(c), it is incumbent upon Mr. X to ensure the unimpeded utilisation of the leased premises
by Mr. Y, subject to the latter's adherence to the lease terms and fulfilment of his contractual
obligations, including timely payment of rent.
The discourse delves into the rights of Mr. X, which encompass the entitlement to the
restoration of the leased property to its initial state, the right to receive rent, and the right to
ensure the reasonable utilisation of the leased premises, among other rights. Additionally, the
duties of Mr. Y, the lessee, are expounded upon to circumvent redundancy and address any
potential lexical gaps.
In both instances of lease transactions, the individual identified as Mr. Y assumes the role of
the lessee. Given that the leased premises will be utilised for parking purposes, it will
necessitate the installation or attachment of various items, including but not limited to cable
covers, guards, parking signs, speed bumps, and cones. In addition, the leased property is
intended to house two theatres, which will require the acquisition of projectors, screens,
sound systems, seating, and other related items. As per Section 108(d), it can be inferred that
Mr. Y is entitled to the benefits of any improvements made to the leased property, on the
condition that he returns the property to its original state upon the termination of the lease.
The aforementioned entitlement must be construed in conjunction with the right accorded
under Section 108(h), which confers upon Mr. Y the authority to detach all accessions affixed
to the land, subject to the condition that he reinstates the property to its initial state, as
mandated by Section 108(m). It follows, therefore, that it is also a duty of Mr. Y to not erect
any permanent structures such as shelter and booth, in the leased premise without Mr X’s
consent, as per Section 108(p).
As per Section 108(e), in the event that the leased property or a significant portion thereof is
damaged or rendered unusable to the extent that it is no longer suitable for its intended
purpose during the term of the lease, such as in the case of an earthquake that causes
irreparable cracks in the parking area and theatres, thereby rendering the property unsuitable
for use as a parking area and theatres, Mr. Y has the option to terminate the lease. In the event
that Mr. Y's own actions result in damage, such as a fire caused by his gross negligence that
destroys the leased premises' parking area and theatres, he would be ineligible to benefit from
the aforementioned provision in accordance with the legal principle of "Nullus Commodum
Capere Potest De Injuria Sua Propria".
Section 108(f) stipulates that in the event that Mr. X fails to make necessary repairs to the
leased premises within a reasonable timeframe after being made aware of them, including but
not limited to water pipe leakage in parking areas or theatres, and Mr. Y undertakes the
repairs himself, he is entitled to deduct the expenses incurred from the rent or seek
reimbursement from Mr. X.
As per Section 108(g), in the event that Mr. X fails to fulfil his financial obligations
pertaining to the rented premises, including but not limited to property tax and electricity
bills, Mr. Y is authorised to cover the expenses and subsequently deduct the incurred amount
from the rent or seek reimbursement from Mr. X.
In accordance with Section 108(j) of the relevant legislation, M. Y is authorised to transfer
the interest in the leased premises, specifically the parking space and theatres, to a third party
through sub-lease or mortgage. Furthermore, the recipient of such an interest is also permitted
to transfer it to other individuals in accordance with Section 109 of the Act.
In accordance with Section 108(k), it is incumbent upon Mr. Y to divulge any pertinent
information that may augment the value of the leased property to Mr. X. For instance, if Mr.
Y unearths gold ores during excavation of the leased premises, he is obligated to disclose this
discovery to Mr. X, as it has the potential to enhance the value of the interest in the leased
property.
As per Section 108(l), it is mandatory for Mr. Y to make a payment of Rs. 5 lakhs towards
rent on the 23rd of March every year from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, Mr. Y is required to
make an advance payment of Rs. 50 lakhs towards the subsequent ten years at the designated
time and location.
In accordance with Section 108(m), it is incumbent upon Mr. Y to permit the ingress of Mr.
X or his authorised representatives onto the leased premises for the purpose of conducting an
inspection. In the event that any deficiencies in the condition of the leased premises are
discovered during the inspection, such as a depression in the ground resulting from a
vehicular collision in the parking area, Mr. Y is required to remedy the issue within a period
of three months from the date of notification by Mr. X. In accordance with Section 108(n),
Mr. Y is obligated to inform Mr. X upon receiving notification of any encroachment or
interference on the leased property.
According to Section 108(o), Mr. Y is required to exercise prudence and reason in the
utilisation of the accessions and is prohibited from permitting the leased premises to be
utilised for purposes other than those for which it was leased. Specifically, Mr. Y is not
permitted to utilise the leased premises as a location for hosting celebrations or as a
restaurant. Upon the conclusion of the lease agreement, it is incumbent upon Mr. Y to return
the leased property to Mr. X.