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If the foreign tenant plans to stay in India for more than 180 days, he or she must register with the FRRO or FRO. Landlords should ask for proof of this registration and keep a copy.
Within 24 hours of the arrival of a foreign national, the landlord must submit Form C online in the Foreigners Regional Registration Office system. it’s mandatory. Representative Image: Canva
When Prakash Hegde finally found a tenant for his two-bedroom flat in Indiranagar, he felt relieved. After several months of a vacant rental cycle, the couple came to see the home, which seemed perfect. Courteous, professional and working with an international company. Only when they explained that they were foreign nationals did a quiet anxiety subside.
He smiled, said yes, and then did what most homeowners in Bengaluru do. He opened Google.
What he found surprised him. Renting a house to a foreign national in the city was not just about police verification and paperwork. There were legal responsibilities that he was never told about.
Why does renting to foreigners come with additional rules?
In Bengaluru, landlords who rent properties to foreign nationals are subject to a specific set of legal obligations laid down in the Foreigners Act and immigration rules. These are not guidelines. They are enforceable duties.
The government’s concern is simple. Authorities must know where the foreign national is staying, for how long, and under what legal status. This responsibility is not only of the tenant. It also belongs to the property owner.
The first thing every homeowner should do
Before handing over the keys, landlords must verify the legal documents of the tenant. This includes checking the passport and visa to ensure that both are valid and match the purpose of stay. Tourist visa, work visa, or student visa all come with different conditions.
If a landlord knowingly or unknowingly allows someone with an expired or invalid visa to stay, they may be held accountable under the law.
The most important step that most people miss
Within 24 hours of the arrival of a foreign national, the landlord must submit Form C online in the Foreigners Regional Registration Office system. it’s mandatory.
Form C is official notification to the government that a foreigner is living on the property. Many landlords believe this is only for hotels. It is not. This rule also applies to private residences.
Also, it is strongly advised to inform the local police. In some areas this is considered a mandatory step.
When FRRO registration becomes necessary
If the foreign tenant plans to stay in India for more than 180 days, he or she must register with the FRRO or FRO. Landlords should ask for proof of this registration and keep a copy on record.
This step becomes important during inspection or background check. This shows that both the tenant and the owner have complied with immigration requirements.
When renting to foreign nationals, a written and registered rental agreement is just not good practice. This is legal protection.
The agreement should clearly mention the tenant’s passport number, visa type, length of stay, and responsibility to maintain valid immigration status throughout the tenancy. This protects the landlord if any compliance issues arise later.
In Bengaluru, many property owners have faced legal trouble for failing to report foreign tenants properly. Under the Foreigners Act, landlords can face penalties and even prosecution if they are found harboring foreign nationals without proper documentation or reporting. In simple words, ignorance is no defence.
What should landlords always keep on file?
Must include in a basic compliance file for foreign tenants
copy of passport
copy of visa
FRRO registration proof if applicable
Form C Acknowledgment Submitted
Receipt if police verification is done
signed rental agreement
This file becomes your legal shield.
Why is this important now more than ever?
In the past week, Bengaluru Police has arrested several foreign nationals, including citizens of Nigeria and Bangladesh, in separate cases related to illegal migration and document violations. These incidents have again focused attention on how risky it can be for landlords to skip proper verification.
Officials insist that most foreign residents live here legally, but some high-profile cases show why documentation and reporting are more important than ever for property owners.
Documents are your friend
After that night of frantic searching, Prakash Hegde no longer believed the rumours. They verified the documents, filed Form C online, informed the local police station, and ensured that all the details were reflected in the rental agreement.
It took him an extra day. But this gave him peace of mind for the rest of the year. Today, when friends ask him whether renting to foreigners is risky, he says it simply. It is not risky, just be careless.
In a global city like Bengaluru, foreign tenants are part of everyday life. The law doesn’t tell landlords to be suspicious. It asks them to be responsible. And sometimes, this very difference is what keeps a good intention from becoming a legal headache.
13 January 2026, 15:49 IST
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