Bengaluru Landlord Demands ₹5 Lakh Deposit for ₹40,000-Rent Apartment, Sparks Online Debate

In yet another example of the challenges of renting in Bengaluru, a woman shared on social media that she was asked to pay a security deposit of ₹5 lakh for an apartment with a monthly rent of ₹40,000. The post, shared by Harnidh Kaur on X (formerly Twitter), quickly went viral, with many users expressing shock over the high deposit demands in Bengaluru’s rental market.

Kaur posted, “5 lakh deposit for a flat with 40k rent. I’m so tired,” highlighting the unusual demand that far exceeds typical practices in cities like Delhi, where deposits usually equate to one or two months’ rent. In Bengaluru, however, deposits can reach five to ten months’ rent, owing to high property prices and limited space.

Many social media users echoed her frustration, noting that a ₹5 lakh deposit is even steep by Bengaluru’s standards, as it surpasses a year’s worth of rent. Influencer Chirag Barjatya commented, questioning, “A year of deposit? Which city? When did this become a norm? How come this isn’t unethical?”

Kaur, who runs The Hiring Update, clarified that she decided not to rent the apartment due to the high deposit.

The post sparked discussions on the affordability of different Indian cities. Some users praised Delhi’s affordability and amenities, while others criticized Bengaluru’s rental practices, with one user labeling landlords “thieves.” Another quipped, “Could be another reason for Nikhil Kamath to buy a house.”

The debate also rekindled the conversation on whether buying a home might be more practical than renting at such high costs, with others calling for action against “greedy” landlords driving tenants out of the market.

Care

Care