Bengaluru landlords Under Fire: Couple’s harrowing Rental Experience Sparks Outrage
In yet another episode of rental woes in Bengaluru, a couple’s ordeal with their landlord has sparked widespread outrage, with startup founder Shravan Tickoo terming it as “modern-day exploitation.” The couple, who paid ₹55,000 per month for a 2BHK, ended up spending over ₹1 lakh on maintainance issues that the landlord refused to address. To make matters worse, their ₹1.75 lakh security deposit was withheld when they vacated the property.
“Bengaluru landlords are a menace,” tickoo remarked in a LinkedIn post, sharing the couple’s harrowing experience. He detailed how the landlord ignored repeated requests to fix property issues, forcing the couple to bear the costs themselves. “Whenever ther was leakage or any issue with the property,the landlord didn’t even pick up the phone. Rather, they communicated through the property maintenance person, saying, ‘It’s your headache to fix it,’ even though it was clearly a property issue,” Tickoo wrote.
When the couple finally decided to leave, the landlord refused to return their deposit, citing “flat maintenance” as the reason.“They sent an SMS saying, ‘The flat needs maintenance, so you shouldn’t get anything back,’” Tickoo revealed. Despite the couple’s suggestion to deduct a month’s rent and refund the remaining amount, the landlord dismissed their request, stating, “do whatever you can, but this is what it is.”
Left with no legal recourse, the couple had no choice but to vacate the property and forfeit their deposit entirely. Tickoo’s post has since gone viral, with many echoing his sentiments about the challenges of renting in Bengaluru. “When it comes to increasing rent,landlords are the first to call and ping you,but when there’s a problem,it’s suddenly your problem,” he added.
The incident has reignited discussions about the need for better tenant-landlord relationships in the city. One social media user suggested, “It woudl be good to see a platform where tenants and landlords rate each other… this ought to solve this problem to a good extent if not completely.” Another commented, “Bangalore has become uninhabitable,” while a third shared similar experiences in Delhi NCR.
Chartered Accountant Yukti Sehgal offered practical advice to tenants to avoid such disputes. she recommended getting rental agreements reviewed by professionals, documenting the property’s condition with photos, and maintaining all communications via email. “Notify landlords three months prior to vacating,clarify deposit adjustments,and take exit photos. If the deposit is unfairly withheld, promptly send a legal notice as per the agreement’s terms,” she advised.
| Key Points | Details |
|—————-|————-|
| Monthly Rent | ₹55,000 for a 2BHK |
| Maintenance Costs | Over ₹1 lakh borne by the couple |
| Security Deposit | ₹1.75 lakh withheld by the landlord |
| Landlord’s Reason | “Flat needs maintenance” |
| Legal Recourse | None, as the couple forfeited the deposit |
Tickoo’s warning to non-Bengalureans is stark: “To everyone who wishes to make it big in Bengaluru, my only request is: focus on people before you make a move here. Spend time on those who respect you for who you are, and be cautious while renting or purchasing homes. Otherwise, this city of dreams for so many of us can quickly turn into a nightmare you never expected.”
As Bengaluru continues to attract professionals from across the country, stories like this highlight the urgent need for systemic changes to protect tenants from exploitative practices. For now,the couple’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for anyone navigating the city’s rental market.
Bengaluru Rental Woes: Insights from an Expert on Tenant-landlord Disputes
Table of Contents
In the bustling tech hub of Bengaluru, rental disputes between tenants and landlords have become increasingly common. A recent incident involving a couple who lost their ₹1.75 lakh security deposit has reignited debates about the need for systemic reforms in the city’s rental market. To shed light on this pressing issue,World Today News senior Editor,Anjali Rao,sat down with Priya Menon,a legal expert specializing in real estate disputes,to discuss the challenges faced by tenants and potential solutions.
The Rising Tide of Rental Disputes in Bengaluru
Anjali Rao: Priya, the couple’s story highlights the growing tension between tenants and landlords in Bengaluru. Why do you think such disputes are becoming more frequent, especially in a city that attracts so many professionals?
Priya Menon: Bengaluru’s rapid urbanization has created a high demand for rental properties, frequently enough leading to lopsided power dynamics favoring landlords. Many tenants, especially newcomers, are unaware of their rights or lack the resources to enforce them. Additionally, the absence of a standardized rental agreement framework opens the door for exploitation. Landlords frequently enough overlook their responsibilities, such as property maintenance, and unlawfully withhold security deposits.
Legal Loopholes and the Need for Reform
Anjali Rao: The couple in this case had no legal recourse despite their unfair treatment. What are the existing legal protections for tenants, and why do they often fall short?
Priya Menon: Currently, rental agreements in India are governed by the Indian Contract Act, which leaves much to interpretation. There’s no specific law that mandates fair treatment of tenants or regulates security deposits.While tenants can file a civil suit, the process is time-consuming and expensive. This lack of clarity and enforcement mechanisms often leaves tenants, like this couple, with no viable options. What we urgently need are tenant-pleasant laws and a streamlined dispute resolution system.
Practical Advice for Tenants
Anjali Rao: Chartered Accountant Yukti Sehgal suggested practical steps tenants can take to avoid such disputes. What proactive measures would you recommend?
Priya Menon: Prevention is always better than cure. Tenants should ensure their rental agreements are reviewed by legal professionals to eliminate ambiguous clauses. Documenting the property’s condition through photos and videos at the time of moving in and out is crucial. All communication with landlords should be in writing—emails are ideal. Additionally, tenants should notify landlords well in advance before vacating and clarify deposit adjustments. If a deposit is unfairly withheld, sending a legal notice promptly can often resolve the issue without escalating it to court.
Building Better tenant-Landlord Relationships
Anjali Rao: One social media user suggested a platform where tenants and landlords could rate each other. Do you think such a system could improve the situation?
Priya Menon: Absolutely. A transparent rating system could foster accountability on both sides. It would encourage landlords to maintain their properties and treat tenants fairly, while tenants would be incentivized to uphold their end of the agreement. Such platforms have worked well in other countries and could be a game-changer for Bengaluru’s rental market. However, it would require robust oversight to ensure fairness and prevent misuse.
A Word of Caution for Aspiring Bengalureans
Anjali rao: Shravan Tickoo warned non-Bengalureans to be cautious when renting or buying homes in the city. What advice would you give to professionals looking to move to Bengaluru?
Priya Menon: My advice is simple—do your homework.Research the locality and the landlord before signing any agreement. Network with other tenants in the area to get a sense of the landlord’s reputation. Always insist on a written agreement and clearly outline responsibilities for maintenance and deposit refunds. And most importantly, trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. Bengaluru is a city of opportunities, but it’s essential to navigate its rental market with care.
conclusion
The couple’s harrowing experience underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms in Bengaluru’s rental market. As Priya Menon highlighted, tenants must be proactive in protecting their rights, while policymakers should address legal loopholes to prevent exploitation. Until then, stories like this will continue to serve as cautionary tales for anyone navigating the city’s complex rental landscape.
