It's not a new thing, but as I didn't find any reference to it here on IM, I thought I'd mention it!

If you are considering renting/leasing a property in India, either short-term or as in a lease, 99 year - long-term, it would be better to retain a lawyer - before you even go to view a property. Lawyers in India are not expensive and in the long run may save you a few thousand sterling, dollars, euro's or whatever.

A couple I met in Bangalore and one girl in Chennai last year all had very sad stories to tell.

They had sought out properties to view with the intention of renting - one on a short term 2 year let and the other was "buying" a 99 year lease. Both sets of people were very happy with the price and ewent ahead with the contracts and moved in.

The "lease lady", was surprised at 4am three months after she had moved in to her apartment with a knock on her door. Police, a baliff and the real owner of the property stood on the threshold demanding that she pack all she could carry and get out. The "leasholders" documents had all seemed in very good order when she'd come to handing over the money (I won't tell you how much, unless you have good health cover!) and had signed all the documents for the contract. He had not been the owner at all and the docs were, sadly, fakes. Not only did she lose the apartment, but three months worth of furniture gained, redecoration costs, equipment she'd bought, i.e. freezer, midi hi-fi bed, etc.. It went to court of course, but the initial "landlord" had dissappeared into the sunset and gone the way of all bad things.....AND she was forced to borrow the money to pay for court costs, AND the real landlord was awarded costs from her in the shape of all that remained in the apartment that the poor lady was forced to leave behind (she had to get out NOW with just what she could carry). The Australian Embassy tried in vain to assist her - but they were stopped in their tracks by layers of law.

The same thing happened to the renters - though it was seven months before the knock on the door came.

Retain a lawyer - have him/her do a good search to verify the authentication of the landlord and every single document. It may cost you about 160 dollars, BUT it will save you.....wait for it......more than $15,000 ...Oh boy, that hurts don't it!