Latest update:30 March 2026, 10:55 PM IST

Bengaluru tenant claims unfair discounts on security deposits after moving out Social media post about inspections and high fees sparks wider debate over rental practices in the city

AI generated image used for representation

One Bengaluru renter’s account of the difficulty of moving out has sparked a broader conversation about rental practices and security deposit deductions in the city. In a social media post, the tenant described how his friendly relationship with his landlord deteriorated once he vacated the apartment after nearly two years.

The tenant said he had rented a one-bedroom apartment about 20 months ago and lived there with his wife and young child. He described their stay as calm, with no damage or disturbances occurring. The owner, who lived in the same residential community, built a friendly relationship with the family over time.

“We literally attended each other’s kids’ birthdays. We shared the cake. We smiled. We trusted each other,” the tenant wrote.

However, the situation reportedly changed during the departure process. After the tenant turned over the keys and conducted an initial walk-through, the landlord allegedly began raising concerns and suggesting additional inspections.

The tenant claimed that despite only minor wear and tear, he had already arranged a quote of Rs 8,000-10,000 for painting and deep cleaning to avoid any disputes. However, the owner spoke of an “inspection team” and a detailed evaluation process, and was asked to wait 10-15 days for the final deductions.

“Excuse me… inspection team?? Bro, it’s a one-bedroom, not an ISRO pre-launch review,” the tenant commented.

He added that he had paid a security deposit of Rs 1 lakh but was now told to expect discounts exceeding Rs 20 lakh for unclear “rent-related adjustments”. “It feels less like I’m exiting… and more like I’ve entered a multi-stage billing funnel,” he wrote.

The tenant also questioned the need for further inspection after the apartment had already been inspected once. “I will wait for the inspection report as if it were the result of a board exam,” he said.

The post sparked strong reactions online, with many users sharing similar experiences. One user wrote: “Bangalore landlords are just a**holes. They cut off water and electricity when you live and deduct 90% of the deposit when you move out. There is a new electricity bill charge scam in new buildings. They are taking 1-2 lakhs from the electricity bill saying it is connected to the common.”

Others expressed frustration over sudden changes in landlord behavior and inflated fees during move-outs, describing such disputes as common in the city’s rental market.

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