LEGAL GUIDE · TENANCY, CIVIL RECOVERY AND COURT ORDERS
The landlord refuses rent or will not give a receipt
A refused rent payment or missing receipt should be documented immediately. The 2025 Act provides a process for payment and, in specified circumstances, deposit. A tenant should follow the applicable statutory steps and Rules rather than keep rent aside indefinitely and assume that this is sufficient.
What to examine
Preserve each attempted transfer, return, message and request for a receipt. Identify the correct payee, due period and amount without using a disputed account change as an excuse to create arrears. The agreement and any existing order may impose additional duties. A deposit into an unrelated account or a self-created acknowledgment is not a substitute for the prescribed process.
Records to collect
- Agreement and payment terms
- bank attempts or returned payments
- written receipt requests
- relevant notices and orders
Keep complete, dated copies and preserve originals. Note which records are missing and where they may be requested; do not alter a document to fill a gap in the history.
The applicable framework
The 2025 Act creates separate roles for the Rent Authority, Rent Court and Rent Tribunal. Its definitions, exclusions, agreement-information requirements and savings clause must be considered before selecting a route. Section 40 limits the Rent Court to the tenancy framework and excludes a determination of title or ownership. Current local appointments and submission arrangements should be verified.
A practical next step
Create a month-by-month payment schedule and verify the current refusal-and-deposit procedure under the Act and Rules. Obtain acknowledgment for every lawful payment or deposit.
Related guidance
- An heir cannot be located or will not participate from abroad
- Informing the Rent Authority about a tenancy agreement
- Security deposit not returned after a tenancy ends
- Tenancy, civil recovery and court orders — practice information
- Browse this guide collection
Sources and official resources
- J&K Tenancy Act, 2025 — original Gazette text retained by PRS
- J&K Law Department — commencement notification, S.O. 31
- J&K Law Department — Tenancy Rules, 2026, S.O. 189
Prepared 19 October 2026. General legal information. The applicable law, amendments, forum, evidence and time limits require assessment for the individual matter.