How to Register a Tenant With Punjab Police: Papers, Deadline and Penalty
Punjab landlords must register a tenant with police within 15 days. How to do it at a police station, Khidmat Markaz or app, the papers, and the penalty.
In Punjab, a landlord must give the police the tenant's details within 15 days of handing over the house. Registration is free and takes about 15 to 20 minutes at a police station or Police Khidmat Markaz. Bring both CNICs, the rent agreement, an affidavit and the tenant's photo. Not doing it can mean up to six months in jail and a fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000.
The duty comes from the Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Act 2015, which we read on the Punjab Code. It applies to every rented house, flat or room used to live in, across the whole province.
Who must register a tenant with Punjab Police
The landlord, the tenant and the property dealer all share the duty. Section 3 of the 2015 Act says any of them must inform the police within 15 days of the tenant getting possession. If one of them does it, the others are not liable.
In practice, the landlord usually does it, because the law also puts identity checks on the landlord. Section 5 says a landlord must not let a tenant stay without checking their CNIC or passport, must keep a copy, and must give that copy to the police.
A tenant who wants to be safe can register too. It costs nothing, and the certificate protects the tenant as much as the owner.
The Act covers more than houses. A "rented premises" includes part of a building, so a portion or a single room counts. A sub-tenant counts as a tenant. Hotels and hostels have a stricter rule: the manager must report each guest within 24 hours of check-in.
Papers you need for tenant registration
Punjab Police's Khidmat Markaz service page lists five documents, with originals and copies. The service is free and done on the spot. After registration, the front desk officer gives you a certificate, which the police say helps you avoid trouble during a search operation.
| Document | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Owner's CNIC | Original and a copy |
| Tenant's CNIC | Original and a copy |
| Rent agreement | Original and a copy |
| Affidavit | One affidavit |
| Tenant's photo | One recent photograph |
The rent agreement matters beyond this form. A written rent agreement on stamp paper is also your proof of the tenancy if a dispute starts later. A foreign tenant can use a passport in place of a CNIC, since section 5 accepts either.
How to register a tenant, step by step
Go to the police station for the area where the house is, or to any Police Khidmat Markaz. Hand over the papers at the front desk. The record is made on the spot and you leave with a certificate. Do it within 15 days of the tenant moving in.
- Sign the rent agreement and get copies of both CNICs.
- Prepare the affidavit and a recent photo of the tenant.
- Visit the local police station or a Police Khidmat Markaz. Most centres open Monday to Saturday.
- Submit the papers at the front desk. There is no fee.
- Collect the certificate and keep a copy with the rent agreement.
Repeat it for every new tenant. A family member who moves in later is best added the same way, so the police record matches who actually lives there.
Registering a tenant online in Punjab
The online route was not working when we checked. On 1 October 2026 the "Tenants Registration" link on punjabpolice.gov.pk led to a "404 Page Not Found" page, and the system's main address opened only a staff login. So plan to register in person.
There is one other route to try. The Punjab Police Pakistan app, which punjabpolice.gov.pk links to, lists tenant registration among its services on its Google Play page, last updated 23 June 2026. We did not register through the app, so we cannot say if the service works.
If you register in the app, take a screenshot of the confirmation. If the app fails, the in-person route still meets the law.
Penalty for not registering a tenant in Punjab
Knowingly breaking the rule can bring jail of up to six months plus a fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000, under section 11. The offence is cognizable and non-bailable, so the police can arrest without a warrant.
The same penalty covers failing to check the tenant's CNIC, and letting a tenant keep an unlicensed weapon or explosives in the house. Section 8 makes the landlord responsible for that too.
Two softer points sit in the law. A first offence can be compounded, that is settled, with an administrative penalty of at least Rs 10,000, under section 13. That option is closed to anyone convicted or compounded before. And the fine applies to someone who "knowingly" breaks the rule.
The police can also check. A sub-inspector or higher may inspect a rented house after reasonable notice and ask the landlord or tenant for documents, under section 7.
What the police can do with tenant data
The police keep a database of tenants and guests. Section 6 says this information may be used only to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorism and other offences under the Pakistan Penal Code. It is not meant for rent disputes.
That last point is worth knowing on both sides. Registration does not decide who is right in a fight over rent, repairs or eviction. Those go to the Rent Tribunal, whether a landlord cuts the utilities or a tenant faces eviction.
Landlords who register a tenant also create a record of the letting, which ties in with tax on rental income. Keep the rent agreement, the police certificate and rent receipts together.
Common questions
Is tenant registration compulsory in Punjab?
Yes. The Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Act 2015 requires the landlord, tenant or property dealer to inform the police within 15 days of possession.
How much does tenant registration cost?
Nothing. Punjab Police lists it as free, done on the spot in about 15 to 20 minutes.
Can I register a tenant online in Punjab?
The website's tenant form returned a 404 error when we checked on 1 October 2026. The Punjab Police Pakistan app lists the service. In person always works.
What is the fine for not registering a tenant?
Up to six months in jail and a fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000, under section 11 of the 2015 Act.
Who is responsible if the tenant is not registered?
The landlord, the tenant and the property dealer share the duty. If any one of them registers, the others are not liable.
Do I need to register a tenant for a single room?
Yes. The Act covers a building or part of one let out for living, and includes sub-tenants.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 1 October 2026. We read the Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Act 2015 on the Punjab Code, sections 2 to 13. It was published in the Punjab Gazette on 10 March 2015. We read the tenant registration entry on the Police Khidmat Markaz services page for the papers, fee and time. We opened the "Tenants Registration" link on punjabpolice.gov.pk, which returned a 404 error, and the Punjab Police Pakistan app's Google Play page, which lists tenant registration. We did not test the app. Nothing here is legal advice.
About the author
Tax, Bills and Technology Writer
Ali Akhtar is a young and curious voice here at Pakistan Era. He is currently pursuing his A-Levels and has a growing interest in Pakistan’s changing industrial landscape and educational trends. Ali likes to write in a way that helps him explain and explore the world around him. His writing reflects the perspective of the new generation navigating the evolving trends of Pakistan where technology, youth innovation, and shifting opportunities are reshaping the country’s future.
