Police to book landlords, tenants living without verification

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 2

Tightening the noose around landlords who had given their houses and paying guest (PG) accommodation on rent to people without police verification, the district police is going to book them under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. Also, keeping in view of the Dinanagar terror attack, the police may soon conduct a special tenant verification drive.

According to DCP Rajinder Singh, no landlord/owner of any house or property could let/sublet or rent out any accommodation to any person until and unless he had furnished the particulars of the said tenant to the police station concerned. The violation of these orders is a punishable offence under Section 188 of the IPC,” said DCP Singh. He also said that any person who intends to take accommodation on rent and property dealers who arrange accommodation for tenants are also obliged to furnish the particulars of the tenant to the police station concerned.

Though the district police have beefed up security in the city in the wake of the Dinanagar terrorist attack, city residents are yet to take a call on the issue, as a majority of them have yet not got the police verification done for tenants. Also, many were reported to have given their properties at prime locations on rent to people only a few days ago on the basis of Aadhaar/voter card provided by the tenant.

Also, a majority of the hotels do online booking of their rooms and do not check the identity of the guests. These people, by flashing the booking receipt at the reception, get keys to rooms.

When asked, a majority of the landlords called it a tedious and complicated process. However, DCP Rajinder Singh said it was a very simple process. “The landlord simply needs to fill in the details of the tenant in the police verification form. This has to be submitted along with the tenant’s photo and copies of documents such as PAN card, lease agreement and address proof, at the local police station.”

This reduces the risk of having tenants with a criminal background, said Singh. He also said that looking at the possible terror threat before August 15, people should get their tenants verified immediately with the local police.

He added that failing to comply with the directions could also lead to the arrest of the landlord and the tenant.