Complaining to the Police for Rent troubles

1. Filing an FIR (First Information Report):
– The landlord’s actions, including verbal abuse and physical intimidation (pulling you out of the lift), would amount to intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and criminal intimidation. These are sufficient grounds to fill an FIR.
– Evidence Collection: Although you don’t have direct access to the lift’s CCTV footage, you can mention this in your FIR. The police can request the footage if necessary.

2. Safety Measures:
– Protection: Request the police for protection if you feel threatened. They may be able to provide assistance or advice on ensuring your safety.

3. Legal Remedies:
– Civil Suit for Harassment: Under civil law, you may file a suit against the landlord for mental harassment and seek damages. You can consult a civil lawyer for this process.
– Consumer Protection Act: If your tenancy agreement is a form of consumer service, you can approach the Consumer Redressal Forum for grievances related to the landlord’s conduct.

4. Tenancy Agreement:
– Review Terms: Examine your rental agreement for any terms related to landlord behavior and tenant rights. This could be useful in both legal and negotiation contexts.

5. Legal Aid: If you cannot afford a lawyer, seek assistance from legal aid services or consult a lawyer who provides pro bono services.

Immediate Actions:

– Document Everything: Keep a record of all interactions with your landlord, including dates, times, and details of incidents. This will be crucial for any legal proceedings. Record phone calls, and take relevant screenshots of the chats

If your agreement specifically provides for dispute resolution by arbitration barring litigation then you must proceed for arbitration assuming that such rent agreement is valid. Even if your rent agreement has expired, the arbitration clause is a self-contained contract ancillary to the main contract as is held in judicial precedents of previously decided cases such as M/s Roshin Lal Gupta & Sons (P) Ltd V/s Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation & Anr. Unless your arbitration agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable then you may not proceed for arbitration. However, in your case it is highly advisable that you adhere to the terms of your arbitration clause and proceed for eviction proceedings via arbitration seated in Bangalore.

1. Last Attempts at Mutual Resolution: Before resorting to legal action, try a good faith discussion with your landlady. Explain your position, show her all the bills and other evidence, bring to her attention the clear terms for security deposit that you had mutually agreed to before starting your tenancy term (through oral or written agreement). Also consider proposing a compromise, or a middle position that benefits your landlady as well as you, without needing to go to the court.
2. If this doesn’t work, send your landlady a formal legal notice. Mention in the notice that you are aggrieved, that you have proof of all bills and other payments, and this is a last warning to return the security deposit.
3. If the landlady doesn’t act upon the notice, then you can go to the local district court and file a civil case. Remember, keep all your evidence (bills, etc.) well-documented in-advance, such if the need for fighting a legal case arises later.

According to the Karnataka Rent Act, 1999 (Section 48) you only need to keep the house generally in a good condition and hand it over in the same state that you received it. Your landlord cannot tell you to paint it in a certain way or use a certain painter as long as it is restored in the same way. You could take this case up in the Rent Control Tribunal. Regarding the payment of advance, you can file a civil suit to recover that amount. Regarding the smoking, drinking and harassment by your landlord, perhaps Section 268 IPC (public nuisance) [S 270 as per the Nyaay Sanhita] could also be used.