Legal awareness notes
Notes on how the law here actually works
Short pieces on the questions that come up most often — what a notice means, which court hears what, what a step really costs in time. Written and reviewed by Advocate Rahman, Chennai.
Property & Civil
Can parents take back a property they gifted or settled on a child?
Section 23 of the Senior Citizens Act lets the Maintenance Tribunal void a transfer made on condition of care. Whether that condition must be written into the deed is still contested in Madras.
Rent & Tenancy
How to register a tenancy on tenancy.tn.gov.in
The documents to have ready, the steps on the State tenancy portal, the 90-day window and the fee — and why, since June 2026, the registration number decides the forum.
Rent & Tenancy
Can my landlord raise the rent every year in Tamil Nadu?
Under s.9 of the 2017 Act, a rent increase follows the agreement, needs three months’ notice by default, and cannot happen mid-term unless the agreement provides for it.
Property & Civil
After a death in the family: legal heir certificate, patta transfer, and when it becomes a partition case
The legal heir certificate, the succession certificate and the patta transfer, in the order families need them — and the point at which it becomes a partition suit.
Family
How does a court actually decide the maintenance amount?
There is no fixed percentage. What courts weigh, why both sides now file affidavits of assets and liabilities, and what makes a claim credible.
Property & Civil
Patta, chitta and encumbrance certificate: what each one actually proves
A patta is not title. What each Tamil Nadu land record does and does not establish, which to obtain before buying, and how they fit together with the deeds.
Property & Civil
A legal notice has arrived. What should you do this week?
A legal notice is a demand, not a court order — but ignoring it is still the wrong move. What it can and cannot do, and the five things worth doing before you reply.
Property & Civil
You have received a notice. How to tell what it actually is
A lawyer’s notice, a court summons and a Rent Authority notice are three different things with three different deadlines. How to identify what is in your hand, and what happens if you ignore it.
Rent & Tenancy
Your rent agreement is not registered. Does it still count?
Since the 2017 Act, a Tamil Nadu tenancy must be in writing and registered with the Rent Authority within 90 days. What happens if it was not — and what to do now.
New notes are published regularly. Subscribe by RSS →
If your situation needs advice specific to your facts, a paid consultation is available.
₹500 for 30 minutes · in person, phone or video · Tamil or English
Book a Consultation