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
- Ahmedabad, India's first UNESCO World Heritage City and Gujarat's business capital.
- Security deposit
- Two to three months' rent, fully refundable at the end of the term.
- Standard lease
- An 11-month leave and license agreement (the usual Indian lease), kept under 12 months to avoid compulsory registration and renewed each year.
- Brokerage
- Typically one month's rent.
- 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.
02Watch Out
What to watch out for
Ahmedabad is easy, safe and affordable, but a few realities catch newcomers off guard. These are the things every family deserves to know before they arrive.
It's a dry state
Gujarat has banned alcohol since 1960. Having relocated from another state, you can drink legally, but only with a liquor permit (a short visitor permit or a longer-term health permit), applied for online via the Gujarat e-permit portal. Permitted liquor is sold at licensed shops inside certain hotels. There is no bar culture; plan your social life around cafés, food and home. One exception: licensed restaurants, clubs and hotels inside GIFT City may serve alcohol to employees and visitors under a special "wine and dine" approval.
Brutal summer heat
April to June is fierce · 40-42°C routinely, spiking to 44-45°C in May. The heat is dry but relentless. Make sure your apartment's AC is serviced before April, budget for high summer electricity bills, and keep outdoor activity to early mornings.
School admissions move fast
Ahmedabad's best CBSE schools (Udgam, DPS Bopal, Anand Niketan) run long waitlists and competitive admissions, and mid-term seats are scarce. ICSE and IB options are limited in number. Sort schooling early, ideally before you move, and have your child's previous-school records and transfer certificate ready.
Conservative & Business-First
Ahmedabad is a working city with a quieter, more traditional social scene than Mumbai, Pune or Bengaluru. Life revolves around work, family, food and festivals rather than nightlife. It suits those who value calm, safety and substance, worth setting that expectation with your family before the move, especially if you're coming from a livelier metro.
Winter air quality
Air quality is generally better than Delhi, but it deteriorates in winter (Nov-Jan) with temperature inversions, dust and traffic, days can reach "poor/unhealthy" levels. Invest in a HEPA air purifier, particularly for young children and anyone with respiratory conditions.
Traffic takes local knowledge
Ahmedabad is easier than the mega-metros, but two-wheelers weave unpredictably and road etiquette takes getting used to. We strongly recommend not self-driving for your first few months: use a chauffeured car or ride-hailing while you learn the city's rhythms.
GIFT City Commute & Housing
If you work at GIFT City, factor a 30-50 minute commute from the western suburbs (the new Phase 2 metro helps). On-site residential stock is still maturing, so many finance professionals live in Ahmedabad West and commute: visit before committing to either.
Get the rent agreement right
Insist on a properly executed, e-stamped Leave & License agreement before paying any deposit, with the deposit, annual escalation and notice period all in writing. The 11-month tenure deliberately keeps it out of compulsory registration. Many owners are vegetarian and prefer veg tenants, clarify household preferences upfront so your shortlist stays realistic. IKAN reviews every agreement before you sign.
03Common Questions
Common questions
The questions families ask us most, answered from this guide.
How much security deposit do landlords in Ahmedabad ask for?
Two to three months' rent, fully refundable at the end of the term. Your IKAN consultant negotiates it and gets the figure in writing before you sign.
What is the standard lease length in Ahmedabad?
An 11-month leave and license agreement, the usual Indian lease. It is kept under 12 months so that it does not have to be registered, and it is renewed each year. Three IKAN reviewers check every clause before the lease reaches you.
Is brokerage payable when renting in Ahmedabad?
Typically one month's rent. IKAN's home-search service handles the broker negotiations and viewings for you.
Which are the best neighbourhoods in Ahmedabad for a relocating family or professional?
This guide profiles 7 areas, and families ask us most about four of them. Prahlad Nagar is the most cosmopolitan. Bodakdev is a prestige address close to the business district. Satellite is central and the safe default. Thaltej has newer gated homes and the metro. 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.
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.
Renting Your Home
The Leave & License playbook: deposits, clauses and registration.
Read the guide
Lease Registration & Stamp Duty
When a lease must be registered, what stamp duty costs and the Sub-Registrar step-by-step.
Read the guide
Rent & the TDS Rule
When higher rents make you, the tenant, deduct and deposit tax on the landlord's behalf.
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.