Bengaluru’s rental market is under fire once again, with startup founder Shravan Tickoo calling landlords in the city a “menace” after a couple’s distressing experience with their rented apartment surfaced. The couple, who paid a steep rent of ₹55,000 per month, ended up spending over ₹1 lakh on maintenance issues that the landlord refused to fix. To make matters worse, their security deposit of ₹1.75 lakh was unfairly withheld when they vacated the property.
In a viral LinkedIn post, Tickoo described how the landlord justified withholding the deposit due to “flat maintenance.” He referred to the situation as “modern-day exploitation” and urged newcomers to Bengaluru to be cautious when renting. The couple, having moved into a 2BHK in a reputed society, faced constant maintenance problems, including leakages. Despite paying rent consistently, their requests for repairs were ignored by the landlord, who passed the responsibility onto them.
Tickoo explained that the couple spent over ₹1 lakh from their own pockets to fix these issues. When they decided to move out, the landlord rejected their request to deduct a month’s rent from the deposit and refund the rest, responding harshly, “Do whatever you can, but this is what it is.” With no legal recourse, the couple lost their entire deposit.
Tickoo also highlighted the hypocrisy of landlords who demand rent hikes but disappear when tenants face problems. He advised future renters to prioritize landlords who respect them and approach rental agreements with caution. The post sparked widespread resonance, with users sharing their own similar stories.
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