Renting for decades? You won't own the house, Indian law clarifies.

• Long-term tenancy or property use does not automatically grant ownership rights in India.
• Ownership is primarily acquired through Legal Transfer, Inheritance, or legally proven Adverse Possession.
• Adverse Possession requires 12 years of continuous, open occupation without the owner's permission, and must be clearly proven in court under the Limitation Act 1963.
• Supreme Court and other rulings confirm that mere possession or long-term stay, even for decades, does not confer ownership.
• Tenants cannot claim adverse possession as their occupation is with the owner's permission, acknowledging the landlord's rights.