Leases of immovable property for a term exceeding one year, or reserving a yearly rent, must be registered under the Registration Act 1908. Many residential and short commercial leases are for eleven months or one year partly for this reason. An unregistered lease that requires registration may not be admissible as evidence of the lease terms, which can leave a tenant or landlord in a weak position in a dispute. Stamp duty applies to leases in any case. We advise on whether registration is needed and arrange it when the term or the investment justifies it.

The Premises Rent Control Act 1991 limits the advance or premium a landlord may demand for premises covered by the Act, and it also requires the landlord to issue rent receipts. In practice, large advances are common, especially for commercial premises, and disputes about their adjustment or refund are frequent. Whether a particular arrangement is lawful and enforceable depends on the type of premises, the documents and how the advance is described. We advise tenants and landlords on structuring advances and security deposits so that refund obligations are clear when the tenancy ends.

The answer depends on the lease and the law. A lease can include agreed escalation, such as a fixed percentage increase at set intervals, and courts generally respect clear commercial terms. For premises covered by the Premises Rent Control Act 1991, the Act regulates standard rent and increases, and a tenant can apply to the Rent Controller in some circumstances. Unilateral increases that are not supported by the lease or the Act may be challenged. We review the lease and the premises' status before advising either side on a proposed rent increase.

Eviction generally requires a lawful ground and proper procedure. Common grounds include non-payment of rent, breach of material lease terms, subletting without consent, misuse of premises, the landlord's genuine need in certain cases and expiry of the lease term with proper notice. Landlords should not use force, cut utilities or remove belongings to drive a tenant out; such actions can lead to civil and criminal liability. Eviction normally proceeds through notice and, if needed, a suit in the civil court. We advise both landlords and tenants on their rights and the correct process.

A corporate tenant should verify that the landlord owns the property or has authority to lease it, that the building has the necessary approvals and occupancy permissions for the intended use, and whether the property is mortgaged. It should then review rent, advances, escalation, service charges, fit-out rights, maintenance, renewal and break options, assignment rights, reinstatement obligations and dispute resolution. Board approval and tax deduction obligations should also be considered. We carry out this review quickly so that tenancy negotiations are not delayed while protecting the occupier's investment in the premises.

Generally, a buyer takes the property subject to existing leases, and the tenancy continues on its terms with the new owner as landlord, particularly where the lease is registered and the tenant is in possession. Problems arise where the lease is unregistered, the term has expired or the new owner disputes the terms. If the building is mortgaged and the lender enforces, the position depends on whether the lease was granted before or after the mortgage and with the lender's consent. Tenants making significant investments should seek protection for these scenarios in the lease.

Yes. Foreign nationals, foreign companies and international organisations commonly rent offices, residences and industrial premises in Bangladesh. The main practical issues are verifying the landlord's title and authority, documenting payments clearly, deducting tax where required, and planning for early termination if staff are transferred. Where rent is paid from abroad or in foreign currency, foreign exchange rules apply. Foreign companies leasing premises for a branch or liaison office may need to show their lease when registering. We advise on leases that work for both the foreign tenant and the local landlord.

Tenancy disputes may go to the Rent Controller for matters under the Premises Rent Control Act 1991, to the civil courts for eviction, recovery of rent or advances and injunctions, or to arbitration under a valid arbitration clause. Mediation is encouraged and, under the Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act 2026, may be required before filing certain disputes in districts where the scheme operates. Negotiated settlement is often faster and cheaper. We assess the documents, the relationship and the commercial priorities before recommending the most effective route. Keep the lease, rent receipts and notices, as every forum asks for them first.