Bengaluru’s rental market is increasingly testing tenants’ patience. From stringent tenant screening and steep security deposits to disputes over deposit refunds, tenants say moving out can be as stressful as moving in.
The latest flashpoint came after a tenant alleged that his landlord planned to deduct ₹40,000 from a ₹1 lakh security deposit for repainting the apartment while also insisting on a deep-cleaning charge of ₹7,000– ₹8,000. The post struck a chord with many renters, reigniting a familiar debate over what constitutes fair wear and tear and where legitimate maintenance costs end, and excessive deductions begin.
“We are shifting to another place this saturday in Bengaluru, and our current owner is asking to deep clean the house before leaving. He was also giving the contact number of a cleaner who would charge 7K to 8K. He will also deduct 40K for paint from the 1 lakh deposit. I'm a bit confused about how a deep clean will be done in a house full of things. Deep cleaning requires an empty house,” the tenant said in a post.
Tenants debate Bengaluru’s rental practices
The tenant’s experience triggered a flood of responses online, with many users questioning the rationale behind charging separately for deep cleaning after already making a substantial deduction for repainting. Several commenters described such practices as increasingly common in Bengaluru’s rental market, where disputes over deductions from security deposits have become a recurring source of friction between landlords and tenants.
