Pune: Spike in Fake Tenant Documents Triggers Statewide Alert in Maharashtra
Pune: Spike in Fake Tenant Documents Triggers Statewide Alert in Maharashtra
Housing societies urged to verify leave and licence agreements amid rise in tampered and unregistered documents
With a surge in forged or tampered tenant registration documents across Maharashtra, the Association of Service Providers (ASP) has issued a statewide alert to all housing societies. The warning comes after multiple cases where tenants submitted fake Leave and Licence Agreements, many of them altered PDF copies created by local agents.
“Societies need to be vigilant. Fake documents can land owners in serious legal trouble,” said ASP president Sachin Shinghavi, urging landlords to avoid unofficial channels and ensure agreements are registered through authorized agents.
Key Concerns Raised
- Legal Liability for Landlords
Landlords are legally accountable for tenant background checks. If a tenant with forged documents is linked to illegal activities, the owner could face legal consequences. - Security Risks for Societies
Unverified tenants may pose serious threats to the safety and security of society residents. - Exploitation of Tenants
Many newcomers are duped by local agents, paying for fake documents that are never officially registered. - Police Verification Loopholes
Despite mandatory police checks in the Leave and Licence 1.9 system, many agents skip this step due to system flaws.
Tech Upgrade: Leave & Licence 2.0 Introduced
To combat fraud, the registration department has introduced Leave and Licence 2.0 with a QR code-based verification system in Mumbai and its suburbs.
“The QR code ensures authenticity and auto-generates police verification,” said DIG (IT) Abhay Mohite, adding that expansion across Maharashtra is underway.
How to Check for a Fake Agreement
- Scan the QR code (if available) to verify document authenticity.
- Cross-check document details on the official registration department website.
- Ensure that police verification is reflected in the document.
- Never accept or submit PDFs edited by agents without official validation.
Suggested Actions for Landlords & Societies
- Always register leave and licence agreements officially through government portals or licensed agents.
- Renew agreements every 11 months with updated verification.
- Ensure police verification is conducted and recorded.
- Verify tenant documents directly with the registration department before approval.
- Educate tenants about risks of using unregistered or fake documents.
Penalty Warning: A ₹5,000 fine may be imposed for submitting forged rental documents.
