DEHRADUN: Landlords in Uttarakhand will have to pay a fine of up to Rs 20,000 if they fail to verify their tenants’ live-in registration certificates. Under the newly notified fee and penalty structure for UCC, the state govt has made it mandatory for live-in couples to register their relationship and for house owners to ensure compliance before renting out their property. Landlords must also obtain a copy of the live-in registration certificate from tenants before finalising the rental agreement.
According to Rule 20 (8) (C) of the UCC, landlords must obtain a copy of the certificate before entering into a rental agreement with individuals already in a live-in relationship or intending to enter one. The rule says, “It shall be obligatory on the landlord’s part to ask for a copy of the certificate/provisional certificate of live-in relationship before signing a rent agreement. This certificate will form part of the rent agreement as prescribed in clause (b) above. For violations, the registrar may impose a penalty as determined by the state govt through notifications from time to time.”
While the registration fee for live-in couples has been set at Rs 500, failing to register within a month will attract a “delay fee” of Rs 1,000. Couples must complete the process within one month of entering the relationship. A separate registration fee of Rs 500 will be required in case of termination of the relationship. Secretary (home) Shailesh Bagauli told TOI, “Landlords are required to get a copy of either the marriage certificate or the live-in certificate.”
The state govt’s notification, issued on Tuesday, also outlines marriage and divorce fees and will registrations. The fee for registering a marriage has been fixed at Rs 250, but a ‘tatkal’ (urgent) service is available for Rs 2,500, ensuring the certificate is issued within three days. Failure to register a marriage or providing incorrect information may attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000.
The registration fee is Rs 200 for couples who were married between March 27, 2010, and the date of the UCC notification. If they fail to register their marriage within six months, they will have to pay a late fee of Rs 400. Registering a divorce costs Rs 250. If not registered within 90 days, a late fee of Rs 200 is applicable. Thereafter, for every additional 90-day delay, the penalty increases to Rs 400.
The notification also introduces penalties for filing false complaints. While no penalty will be imposed for a first-time offence, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be levied for the second instance. The penalty will increase to Rs 10,000 for a third instance.
Additionally, govt has set fees for obtaining certified copies of legal documents. Applicants must pay Rs 100 for accessible records and Rs 500 for certified information requiring consent from the other party. The fee for obtaining certified copies of successor declarations is Rs 150. The same charge applies to certified copies of will documents or estate records.
