House for Rent in Islamabad: 2026 Rents by Sector and Size, and the Legal Steps

In short

Islamabad averages (October 2026, asking rent per month): 5 marla PKR 1.22 lakh, 10 marla PKR 2.15 lakh, 1 kanal PKR 5.93 lakh (Zameen). Against October 2025, as Zameen's pages showed both months on 4 November 2026, average asking rents were about 11% to 26% higher, depending on size. Among the sectors below, a 10 marla house ranged from PKR 1.36 lakh in B-17 to PKR 4.11 lakh in G-9. The law requires a written tenancy agreement, presented to the Rent Controller within 30 days of signing. Unless both sides agree otherwise in writing, rent rises by 10% a year automatically. Tenant registration with Islamabad Police is mandatory. It costs Rs 500 and takes one working day.

Looking for a house for rent in Islamabad? Rents vary more by sector than in most cities, so a 10 marla house can cost up to three times as much in one sector as in another. This guide gives average asking rents by house size and by sector, how much they rose in a year, and the two legal steps every tenant and landlord in Islamabad has to take: a written tenancy agreement and police registration.

Rent figures are from Zameen's rent index for October 2026, the latest available on 4 November 2026. The legal steps are from the law as published in the Gazette and from Islamabad Police's own page.

Prices are indicative as of October 2026.

Average rents in Islamabad by size

Zameen's rent index for Islamabad shows average asking rents, which is what landlords advertise, not what they finally agree:

Both columns are as Zameen's pages showed them on 4 November 2026. Zameen puts the yearly rise at 19% for 5 marla, 26% for 10 marla, 11% for 1 kanal and 14% for all houses. The "all houses" average is pulled up by very large houses in sectors such as F-6 and F-7, so compare like with like.

Average rents by sector

The same index, by sector, for October 2026 (average asking rent per month, with Zameen's change over the year, read 4 November 2026):

"Not given" means Zameen showed no average for that size in that sector. Some cells rest on few listings, so treat single figures as a guide. For example, a 5 marla average below the 10 marla one in the same sector can simply mean a handful of listings.

How to read these numbers

• Asking, not agreed. These are advertised rents. The rent you agree may be lower.
• Whole houses only. These figures are for houses, not upper portions, flats or rooms, which usually cost less.
• The newest month is October 2026, as Zameen's index showed it on 4 November 2026.

The legal steps: a written tenancy agreement

Rentals in Islamabad are governed by the Islamabad Rent Restriction Ordinance 2001, as amended by Act No. XLVII of 2021. The amended section 5 says:

• "A landlord shall not let out a premises to a tenant except by a tenancy agreement in writing."
• "A landlord shall present the tenancy agreement before the Controller within thirty days of signing the agreement."
• The Controller enters the tenancy in a register, affixes an official seal on the agreement, keeps a copy and returns the original to the landlord.

Annual increase. Under the amended section 10, rent "shall stand automatically increased at the end of every one year of its tenancy by ten percent of the rent already being paid by the tenant". The exception is where "a landlord and a tenant agree to increase or not to increase rent by agreement in writing". So if your agreement says nothing about increases, expect 10% a year.

The legal steps: police registration

Islamabad Police says tenant registration "is mandatory for all tenants in Islamabad Capital Territory". From its Tenant Registration page:

• Documents: tenant's and owner's CNIC, and the original rent or lease agreement.
• Where: any Police Khidmat Markaz, such as F-6, G-14/4 or H-11, or the nearest police station. The page also has an online form that asks for photos of both sides of the CNIC, a passport-size photo, the agreement and a thumb impression.
• Who: the tenant or the owner can apply.
• Fee and time: Rs 500, paid at the counter, and one working day.

A checklist before you pay

1. Compare the asking rent with the sector figures above for the same house size.
2. Ask for the owner's CNIC and proof of ownership, such as the CDA transfer letter or a property tax bill. In Islamabad you can look up a CDA property tax bill with the consumer number. See our check before you pay page.
3. Put the rent, the advance, the yearly increase and the notice period in a written agreement.
4. Make sure the landlord presents the agreement to the Rent Controller within 30 days.
5. Register the tenancy with Islamabad Police.
6. Pay by bank transfer or cheque, and keep every receipt.

For more on the city, see Islamabad property guides. For other cities, see our guides to house for rent in Lahore and flat for rent in Karachi.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent of a house in Islamabad?

In October 2026, Zameen's index put average asking rents at PKR 1.22 lakh for a 5 marla house, PKR 2.15 lakh for 10 marla and PKR 5.93 lakh for 1 kanal.

Which sectors in Islamabad have cheaper rents?

Among the sectors we list, B-17, DHA Defence and Bahria Town had the lowest averages for 10 marla and 1 kanal houses. Sectors such as G-9, D-12 and F-11 were higher.

How much can a landlord increase rent in Islamabad?

The law adds 10% a year automatically, unless the landlord and tenant agree in writing to a different increase or to none.

Do I need to register a rent agreement in Islamabad?

Yes. The landlord must present the written agreement to the Rent Controller within 30 days of signing, and the tenancy must be registered with Islamabad Police.

How do I register a tenant with Islamabad Police?

Take both CNICs and the rent agreement to a Police Khidmat Markaz or police station, or use the online form on islamabadpolice.gov.pk. The fee is Rs 500 and it takes one working day.

Sources

1. Zameen: Houses rent index, Islamabad (data for October 2026, read 4 November 2026) zameen.com
2. Zameen: 5 marla houses rent index, Islamabad (October 2026, read 4 November 2026) zameen.com
3. Zameen: 10 marla houses rent index, Islamabad (October 2026, read 4 November 2026) zameen.com
4. Zameen: 1 kanal houses rent index, Islamabad (October 2026, read 4 November 2026) zameen.com
5. Zameen: Houses rent index, G-13 Islamabad (October 2026, read 4 November 2026; sector pages for B-17, Bahria Town, D-12, DHA Defence, E-11, F-10, F-11, G-9, G-10 and I-8 follow the same pattern) zameen.com
6. Gazette of Pakistan: Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) Act 2021, Act No. XLVII of 2021 (9 December 2021) na.gov.pk
7. Islamabad Capital Territory Police: Tenant Registration islamabadpolice.gov.pk