Rent agreement documents: what tenants and landlords should share
Renting a flat in India? Which ID and address copies tenants and landlords usually exchange, what each side can mask, and when a full copy may be needed.
Updated · 2 min read
Do it now: free, in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Open Aadhaar cardThe short answer
Share one photo ID and one address proof, masked wherever the other side only needs to see that the document exists. A masked Aadhaar, with only the last 4 digits showing, is usually enough for a landlord's records. Send full copies only to whoever actually needs the numbers, such as the office registering the agreement, and ask first.
Who asks for what
Both sides of a rental collect paperwork, and a broker often sits in the middle. Here is what usually changes hands and what can typically be covered:
| Document | Usually asked of | Often safe to hide |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar | Tenant and landlord | First 8 digits, VID, QR code |
| PAN card | Landlord (sometimes tenant) | Date of birth, father's name |
| Salary slip | Tenant | UAN, PF and ESI numbers, deductions |
| Utility bill | Landlord, as proof of the property address | Consumer number, meter number, phone |
| Previous rent agreement | Tenant | The old landlord's details and rent amount, if not relevant |
Landlords may also need tenant details for police verification, which some cities run. If the form asks for an ID number, that one copy may need to be full. Check with the landlord or the local station rather than guessing.
Tenants claiming HRA are often asked by their employer for the landlord's PAN when the rent crosses a threshold. A landlord can share the PAN for that purpose and still cover the date of birth on the card.
Mask the copies in a minute
- Open Mask Aadhaar and add the front and back photos or the PDF. The first 8 digits, VID and QR code are covered automatically.
- For other documents, pick the matching template from Templates, or open the editor and add several files at once.
- Tick any extra fields you want hidden and drag a box over anything the tool didn't find, such as a signature.
- Download, then send the files directly to the landlord or tenant rather than to a group chat.
Writing the purpose on the paper before you photograph it, for example "Copy for rent agreement, Flat 4B, Nov 2026", makes the copy less useful to anyone who gets hold of it later.
Things to watch for
- Brokers who want everything up front. Share documents once you have seen the flat and agreed terms, not to reserve a viewing.
- Requests for signed blank papers or signed ID copies. A signature on a copy should say what it is for.
- Full Aadhaar on a WhatsApp group. Once it's in a group, you can't take it back.
- Old copies. At the end of a tenancy, ask the other side to delete the copies they no longer need.
For a wider checklist on sending ID, see How to share ID documents safely.
Questions
Will a landlord accept a masked Aadhaar?
Most private landlords do, because they only need proof of identity. If a registration or verification form needs the full number, they can tell you which one.
What should a landlord share with a tenant?
Usually an ID proof and something linking them to the property, such as a utility bill or tax receipt. The consumer number and phone can be covered.