‘₹5 lakh gone from account’: Tech says flat hunting in Bengaluru is ‘nightmare’ | Today’s news
A software professional started an online discussion after he shared the difficulties he faced in finding a house on rent in Bengaluru. In a social media post, the former Google and Amazon employee described the high rents, large security deposits, realtor-related issues and problems bachelors often face in the city’s rental market.
The man said he was looking for a two-bedroom apartment in a gated community near HSR Layout, hoping to find a safe place with easier access to work and fewer traffic problems. However, according to him, the process turned out to be much more difficult than expected.
“Flat hunting is a nightmare in BLR,” he wrote.
High rents, huge deposits and problems with brokers
According to the technician, most of the properties he came across were much more expensive than he had anticipated.
“2BHK range was 60-90,000, for matchbox bedrooms. Few were 10-15 years old, still worth the price. 5-10 months deposit. Being single is a problem for most owners.”
You finish one and the next hour is gone to another agency. Brokers charge 1 month’s rent and won’t even come to show you the apartment; they will send you to the apartment in most cases alone with consent,” he wrote in the post.
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After several setbacks, including objections from the owners because he was not married, he finally secured a suitable apartment. The monthly rent was approaching ₹80 thousand, while the deposit was almost five months’ rent.
Concerns about start-up costs
The technician said the financial burden of moving into a rental property can be overwhelming, especially for those who have recently moved to the city for work.
“So in order to move in 1st I need to have ~5L out of my account (although I do get my deposit back) but still, how does someone who is new and just starting out manage that?” he asked.
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He also questioned why landlords in premium apartments are still hesitant to rent to bachelors, especially when many tenants already lose part of their security deposit or pay deductions when vacating the property.
“All in all a miserable experience, done, thank you,” he concluded.
Internet users share their opinions
The post quickly attracted responses from people who faced similar experiences in Bengaluru and other major cities.
One user suggested avoiding gated communities altogether and said, “Gated societies are a nightmare. One of my friends shared a similar case. But a detached is easy to get. I recently got a detached flat in Balagere / Varthur, 24,000 for 2 BHK with 3 months deposit.”
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Another likened the situation to Mumbai’s housing market, writing: “Same with Mumbai. The real estate mafia is below average and the rooms are below average and the owners charge as if they are providing rooms like 3 star suites.”
Some users also warned of difficulties in recovering security deposits. One person commented: “Forget the deposit. 95% chance you won’t get it back. So bargain hard.”
Others said that such challenges often force bachelors to choose shared accommodation instead of separate apartments.
“This is why most bachelors end up living in PGs sacrificing their privacy, cleanliness and health, or living in their hometown, which in most cases is even worse if we remove those factors,” wrote one user.
Another added: “I realized the best option is to get a single room in PG. You get peace of mind and in most cases you can call your friends if you find a good caretaker.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user generated content from social media. Livemint has not independently verified and does not endorse these claims.)
