Bengaluru’s real estate market has once again become a talking point after a viral post from Canadian digital creator Caleb Friesen criticized an “outrageous” rental security demand. Friesen shared an advertisement on X (formerly Twitter) for a 4BHK, fully furnished independent house in Bennigana Halli, demanding a staggering ₹23 lakh security deposit, equal to 12 months’ rent of ₹2.3 lakh per month.
Labeling Bengaluru landlords as “the greediest in the world,” Friesen compared the city’s rental practices with global standards. He noted that New York and Toronto typically require one month’s deposit, Singapore asks for one month per lease year, San Francisco demands two months, Dubai limits it to 5-10% of annual rent, and London expects five to six weeks’ rent—all far more tenant-friendly than Bengaluru’s sky-high ask.
The post triggered widespread debate online. While many users echoed Friesen’s outrage, calling the deposit demand excessive, others explained it’s not uncommon in Bengaluru’s upscale rental market, blaming the issue on a “low-trust rental culture” and absence of tenant-protective policies.
One commenter warned that landlords often deduct heavily from deposits, returning minimal amounts. Another observed that five to six months’ rent is the typical norm, not twelve. Some even argued that landlords charge such deposits because tenants agree to pay, calling for stronger regulation and price control in the housing sector.
This incident has reignited conversations around housing affordability, landlord practices, and regulatory gaps in Indian urban centers.