How do I rent a room or flat in Kathmandu?
काठमाडौंमा कोठा वा फ्ल्याट कसरी भाडामा लिने?
Renting in Kathmandu under Nepal's Civil Code. When you need a written agreement, rent receipts, the 35-day notice and dealing with room brokers.
- Cost
- Rent plus any broker fee
- Room-finding offices were reported charging Rs 500 upfront and Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 once you take a place.
- How long
- Days to weeks
- Where
- Your ward office
- Last checked
- 8 Oct 2026
- Against the official source
What it is
Renting a house, flat or single room in Nepal is covered by the house rent chapter of the National Civil Code 2074. It sets out when you need a written agreement, how rent is paid and when a landlord can ask you to leave.
Most rooms in Kathmandu are let on a handshake. That's legal for rents of Rs 20,000 a month or less, but a short written agreement, even for a cheap room, saves arguments about deposits, bills and notice later.
Who needs it
- Students and workers renting a room or flat, and landlords letting one.
What you need
- Official
Citizenship of both owner and tenant
Or passport details for a foreign tenant.
- Official
Tenant's photo for the agreement
- Official
Two witnesses from each side, if you sign a written agreement
How it works
- 1
Find a room
Ask friends and check local notice boards and online listings. You can also use a room-finding office. If you use a broker, pay only one with a registered office that gives a receipt and writes the fee terms down.
- 2
Agree the terms
Settle the rent, the date it's due, how long you'll stay, who pays electricity, water and waste charges and whether there's a deposit.
- 3
Sign a written agreement
It's required by law when the rent is over Rs 20,000 a month, and wise below that. It should list both names and citizenship numbers, the address and plot number, the rent, when it's paid, who pays bills and tax and how either side can end it.
- 4
Lodge a copy at the ward
Kathmandu Metropolitan City asks for three copies, one each for owner and tenant and one for the ward office. Tell the ward if the rent goes up.
- 5
Get receipts
If you pay rent in cash, the owner must give you a receipt. Unless your agreement says otherwise, rent is due within seven days after the end of each month.
Where to go
Your ward office
Keeps rental agreements and handles disputes
Kathmandu Metropolitan City
kathmandu.gov.np
Cost and time
- Official fee
- Rent plus any broker fee
- Room-finding offices were reported charging Rs 500 upfront and Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 once you take a place.
- Processing time
- Days to weeks
Common problems
Can my landlord throw me out?
Only for reasons in the Civil Code, such as not meeting your obligations, breaking the agreement, the lease ending or the owner needing the house. If the owner needs it for themselves, they must give you at least 35 days' written notice and can't rent it to someone else for three months.
Who pays the house rent tax?
The owner, unless the agreement says otherwise. If the owner doesn't pay it on time, you can pay it and deduct it from the rent.
Can I sublet my room?
Only if the agreement allows it, and you must tell the owner in writing within 15 days, with the sub-tenant's name and address.
The broker took my fee and never called.
Ask for a refund in writing. Room-finding fees count as a consumer service, so you can complain to the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection. See the consumer complaint page.
Real experiences
Been through this recently? Tell the next person which office you went to and what they asked for. Reports are published as community notes, apart from the official information.
Share your experienceSources
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