Eviction of Tenants in Pakistan

It is pretty common in Pakistan for landlords to experience resistance from tenants when it comes to vacating the premises - no matter how good the relationship is between landlord and tenant. Eviction of tenants in Pakistan can be on different grounds, and the process can vary depending on the situation. Some of the grounds on which eviction petitions are filed by landlords in court are as follows: Defaulting on rent or utility payments, causing damage to property, subletting the premises to a third party without approval, causing nuisance for neighbours, or violating other terms and conditions of the agreement are all grounds for eviction. Most eviction petitions are filed when a tenant defaults on their rent payments to the landlord. Tenancy laws in Pakistan differ from province to province, meaning that each one has its own set of rules. The Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009 was recently introduced in Punjab and covers all tenancy relationships and disputes except for those involving properties located in Cantonment areas, which fall under the Cantonment Rent Restriction Act, 1963.

WRITTEN NOTICE IN CASE OF DISPUTE

If a dispute arises between a landlord and tenant, the landlord is required to serve the tenant with a written notice detailing the tenant's default or that the agreement has expired and the landlord wants the premises vacated. If the tenant fails to comply, the landlord can then proceed to file an eviction or seek recovery of rent and other defaulted amounts.

PROCEDURE FOR EVICTION OF TENANT

If the tenant has failed to evict the premise through amicable means, the tenant or landlord has the right to file an eviction petition with the rent controller. To file an eviction petition, it is recommended to engage an expert lawyer who is experienced in tenancy laws. An experienced tenancy lawyer will prepare a draft of the petition and share it with you for approval. Once you have signed the petition, the lawyer will file it on your behalf with the rent controller and get a hearing date for notices to be served to the other side.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FILING EVICTION PETITION

To file an eviction petition with the Rent Controller, you will need the following documents: A copy of the landlord's and tenant's CNIC A verification certificate of the tenant from the police station A registered tenancy agreement, duly signed by both the tenant and landlord Other documents that may be necessary for adjudication of the matter

REGISTERED TENANCY AGREEMENT

As mentioned earlier, a Tenancy Agreement must be in writing and signed on a non-judicial stamp paper of PKR 1200/- (Rupee Twelve Hundred). The Tenancy law of Punjab requires that the Tenancy Agreement must be registered with the relevant Sub-Registrar office. If your tenancy agreement is not registered, you can still file an Eviction Petition with Rent Controller, but the landlord will be required to pay a 10% penalty on the Annual Gross Value of Rent payment. We know how challenging it can be to deal with tenancy disputes, especially if you're constantly being bogged down by deadlines and other pressing matters.

Lahore Office

Main Boulevard Gulberg, Main Market, Lahore, Punjab 54000
Mr. Ahmed Burhan

Faisalabad Office

Burhan Center, 97-99, Gulistan Market Railway Road, Faislabad, Pakistan
Mr. Ahmed Burhan

UK Office

Associate Office (London)
Mr. Ahmed Burhan