Before you go
At a glance, Watch Out, Common Questions, IKAN India Essentials. 5 min read.
01At a glance
Key facts at a glance
The figures families ask us for first. Each one is explained in its chapter.
- Where you are moving
- Delhi, India's national capital.
- Security deposit
- Two to three months' rent for builder floors, up to six months in Lutyens private bungalows (negotiable).
- Standard lease
- 24 or 36-month leave and license agreements (the usual Indian lease) are standard, renewable with a 5 to 10% annual escalation. Any tenure over a year must be registered.
- Move-in report
- Your move-in record is made in move.report and reaches you within 24 hours of check-in. You can comment on it for 24 hours from when you receive it. See a sample report.
- Foreigner registration
- Your landlord or hotel files Form C within 24 hours of arrival, and you keep the receipt. Then you complete FRRO registration within 14 days.
02Watch Out
What to watch out for
Delhi rewards preparation. These are the realities every incoming expat deserves to know before signing anything or forming firm expectations. We are honest, especially about the air.
Air pollution · the #1 issue
From October to February Delhi's AQI runs 200-500 (Hazardous / Severe), driven by stubble burning in neighbouring states, winter temperature inversions and vehicle emissions. Schools close outdoor sport, GRAP Stage III-IV bans construction and curbs vehicles, and respiratory symptoms are common even among the previously healthy. HEPA air purifiers in every bedroom are basic equipment, not luxury. Negotiate them into your relocation package.
Summer extremes
May and June reliably touch 45°C+ with dust storms (loo wind). Outdoor activity is restricted to dawn or post-sunset. Plan your first summer arrival with the knowledge that the heat will dictate your schedule for two months. AC failure during the worst week of May is a real household crisis, ensure servicing is complete by end-March.
Aggressive driving culture
Delhi's driving culture is more aggressive than in other Indian cities. Horn use is constant, lane discipline is loose, and accidents are commonplace. Most expats keep a full-time chauffeur for the first 12 months, it is a quality-of-life and safety decision, not a luxury.Most expats keep a full-time chauffeur for the first 12 months
AES & British School Waitlists
The American Embassy School strongly prioritises diplomatic-passport families and admissions teams operate 6 to 12 month cycles. The British School has similar waitlists. Apply before your move is finalised, not after arrival.
Water quality
Delhi's tap water has high TDS, occasional contamination, and is not safe to drink directly. RO + UV filtration is mandatory in every household. Bottled water for guests at minimum. Set up filtered piped water before your move-in if possible. IKAN guides you through reliable water-treatment vendors.
Bungalow maintenance surprises
Older bungalows in Lutyens Delhi may have ageing electrical wiring and weaker plumbing infrastructure. It is therefore important to always check the building's generator (DG set) capacity, inverter backup, and water tank arrangements before signing the Leave & License. IKAN's property advisors specifically review and flag such points during the pre-move inspection process.
Leave & License Negotiation
Delhi landlords, especially in Lutyens and Jor Bagh, are experienced negotiators with very specific expectations. Verbal agreements carry little value in the Leave & License discussions, a token amount may need to be paid in order to block or reserve the apartment. IKAN's legal team reviews all Leave & License agreements as standard. Never transfer a security deposit without a signed Leave & License in hand.
Diwali & Karva Chauth Traffic
In the week before Diwali and on Karva Chauth, south Delhi gridlocks completely. Markets, gift exchanges, and shopping concentrate traffic in unmanageable volumes. Schedule no important meetings during these windows; work from home if possible. Air quality also peaks at its worst during Diwali week.
03Common Questions
Common questions
The questions families ask us most, answered from this guide.
How much security deposit do landlords in Delhi ask for?
Two to three months' rent for builder floors, up to six months in Lutyens private bungalows (negotiable). Your IKAN consultant negotiates it and gets the figure in writing before you sign.
What is the standard lease length in Delhi?
Leave and license agreements of 24 or 36 months are standard, renewable with a 5 to 10% rise each year. Any lease over a year must be registered. Three IKAN reviewers check every clause before the lease reaches you.
Which are the best neighbourhoods in Delhi for a relocating family or professional?
This guide profiles 6 areas, and families ask us most about four of them. Chanakyapuri is the diplomatic enclave. Vasant Vihar, Shanti Niketan and Westend are premium homes for corporate families. Jor Bagh, Golf Links and Sundar Nagar are premium heritage areas. Defence Colony is an established part of South Delhi. The Where to live chapter helps you match a shortlist to your budget and commute.
How does the IKAN move-in inspection work?
On check-in day your consultant photographs every meter, key and fixture. The record is made in move.report and reaches you within 24 hours. You can comment on it for 24 hours from when you receive it, and then it is locked as your move-in baseline. That baseline is what protects your deposit at move-out.
Do foreign nationals need to register with the FRRO in Delhi?
Yes. Your landlord or hotel files Form C within 24 hours of your arrival, and you keep the receipt. Then you complete FRRO registration within 14 days. IKAN prepares the paperwork and books the appointment so the clock is never missed.
04Go Deeper · IKAN India Essentials
Step by step guides for the paperwork
Each step in this guide has a matching IKAN India Essentials guide. It goes through the forms one by one, and it is the pack your consultant works from. Start with these five.
FRRO Registration
The 14 day rule, the e-FRRO portal walkthrough and the exact document kit.
Read the guide
Money & Banking
NRE and NRO accounts, UPI setup and moving money in and out of India.
Read the guide
Renting Your Home
The Leave & License playbook: deposits, clauses and registration.
Read the guide
Schools & Admissions
Curricula, timelines and the admissions paperwork, board by board.
Read the guide
Healthcare in India
Hospitals, insurance networks, pharmacies and everyday care.
Read the guide
Already moving with IKAN?
Your homes, dates and papers are in i-Navigate, IKAN's app for families. It opens with the email address your IKAN consultant has for you, then sends you a six digit code.
Open your move Not moving with IKAN yet? Write to relo@ikan.com and a consultant will reply.