A recent incident in Bengaluru has highlighted the growing landlord menace and exploitative rental practices in India’s tech hub. Startup founder Shravan Tickoo, who shared the story of an unlucky couple on LinkedIn, termed it “modern-day exploitation.” He even warned that such incidents are not isolated cases. Landlords are increasingly using such exploitative tactics because they understand that renters are either not as knowledgeable or are hard-pressed for better options. It is important to therefore be careful.
Post About Bengaluru Landlord Menace Goes Viral Online
As per the post, a couple was paying ₹55,000 monthly for a two-bedroom flat. They found themselves in a distressing situation when their landlord refused to address maintenance issues. Despite the problems clearly being property-related, they were forced to spend more than ₹1 lakh on repairs.
The situation worsened when they vacated, as the landlord withheld their entire security deposit of ₹1.75 lakh. He said that since the flat needed maintenance, he wasn’t going to return it. When the couple proposed deducting one month’s rent and returning the remainder, the landlord flatly refused.
The post sparked widespread discussion, with many sharing similar experiences from other Indian cities, suggesting this is a nationwide issue rather than being unique to Bengaluru.
Precautionary Measures You Can Take To Protect Yourself
A commenter under the post laid out a few precautions one can take to protect oneself from such rental disputes. These preventive measures are crucial. First, prospective tenants should have their rental agreement professionally reviewed by a lawyer experienced in property matters.
Before moving in, thorough documentation of the property’s condition through photographs is essential, with these images being attached to the agreement. All communications with the landlord should be conducted via email to maintain a clear trail of correspondence.
Tenants should provide a three-month notice before vacating and discuss deposit adjustments well in advance. Taking photographs during move-out is equally important to establish the property’s condition upon leaving.
Should landlords unfairly withhold deposits, tenants should promptly issue legal notices as per the agreement’s terms. These precautionary steps, while not foolproof, can significantly strengthen a tenant’s position in potential disputes and provide necessary documentation for legal recourse if required.
Have you experienced such a situation? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Pro Images and Shravan Tickoo/LinkedIn
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.