This is a common tactic. If the landlord refuses rent, you should immediately send it via money order and keep the postal receipt as proof. Alternatively, depending on state law, you can deposit the rent with the Rent Controller. This demonstrates your willingness to fulfill tenancy obligations and creates crucial evidence for any future legal proceedings.

No. A landlord cannot legally evict a qualifying legal heir without following the due process of law. If the heir meets the criteria for succession under the state's Rent Control Act (e.g., co-residence, specific relationship), they inherit the tenancy rights. The landlord must establish valid grounds for eviction (like rent default or subletting) and obtain an order from the appropriate court or Rent Controller.

This is highly state-specific. Some Rent Control Acts, like in West Bengal and Karnataka, impose a time limit (often five years) for the heir's tenancy. However, certain relationships (like a spouse) may have rights for their lifetime. In other states, the heir steps into the shoes of the original tenant with no explicit time limit, continuing as a "statutory tenant" until a lawful eviction occurs.

Generally, all qualifying co-residing heirs inherit the tenancy rights jointly. They become joint tenants. The landlord cannot pick and choose one heir over another. The family can decide internally who will primarily interact with the landlord and pay rent, but legally, the tenancy is a shared right among all eligible successors.