Rent receipts and HRA: what tenants should keep

If your employer pays you house rent allowance (HRA), you will usually be asked for proof of the rent you paid. Keeping good records through the year makes that easy. This article is general information, not tax advice, so check the rules with your employer or an accountant.

What to keep for every month

• A rent receipt, with the date, the amount, the period it covers and the names of the landlord and tenant.
• Proof of payment, such as a UPI screenshot or a bank statement line, because it shows the money actually moved.
• A copy of your rental agreement.

Details your employer may ask for

The landlord's name and address are commonly needed. Above a yearly rent limit set by the tax rules, your employer may also ask for the landlord's PAN. Ask your accountant what applies to you, because the rules can change.

Cash payments

Cash is still common, but it leaves no trail. If you pay in cash, ask for a signed receipt each time and keep a note of the date. Where you can, pay by UPI or bank transfer instead.

How RentEase helps

When the landlord uses the RentEase rent register, every confirmed payment gets a numbered receipt that both of you can see. At the end of the year, either person can print a statement of payments by financial year (April to March). It lists only payments confirmed in RentEase, and it is a record of rent, not tax advice.

Start collecting receipts in April, not in March, and the end of the financial year will be much calmer.