GST on Rent: When and Where It Applies

Renting property is common across residential and commercial sectors in India. But when does GST apply to rent? Is there GST on house rent or only for commercial use? In this blog, we’ll break down the rent gst rate, when GST applies, and how it affects both landlords and tenants.

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    Is Rent Taxable Under GST?

    Under GST law, renting out property is considered a supply of service, which can attract GST — but not always.

    GST only applies to:

    • Commercial properties rented for business or official use
    • Residential properties rented for commercial purposes
    • Properties rented to registered businesses

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    GST Rate on Rent

    The gst rate on rent for taxable rentals is 18%. This applies to:

    • Office spaces
    • Shops
    • Warehouses
    • Residential units used as offices

    If the rent is collected from a GST-registered business or company, and the property is used for commercial purposes, GST is applicable.

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    GST on House Rent

    Here’s the important distinction:

    Type of Rental GST Applicable? GST Rate
    Residential property for personal use No Nil
    Residential property used for business Yes 18%
    Commercial property for any use Yes 18%

    So, gst on house rent is not applicable when it is used solely for residential purposes.

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    When Does a Landlord Need to Register for GST?

    If the total annual rental income exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in some states), the landlord is required to:

    • Register under GST
    • Charge 18% GST on rent (where applicable)
    • Issue tax invoices
    • File GST returns regularly

    Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) on Rent

    If a GST-registered business rents a property from an unregistered landlord, then GST is payable by the tenant under the Reverse Charge Mechanism.

    The tenant pays the tax directly to the government. This applies mainly to commercial rent situations, not personal rentals.

    Input Tax Credit on Rent

    Tenants (usually businesses) who pay GST on rent can claim Input Tax Credit, provided:

    • They are registered under GST
    • The rented premises are used for business
    • The GST invoice is correctly issued

    This helps reduce the overall GST burden for businesses.

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