A Canadian national living in Aizawl has ignited a heated debate over Bengaluru’s soaring rental deposits after he shared a listing demanding a staggering ₹19.25 lakh as security for a 3BHK flat.
Caleb Friesen, who appears to be planning a move to Bengaluru, posted a screenshot on X (formerly Twitter) of a 3BHK apartment in the posh Diamond District, Domlur. While the monthly rent itself was a steep ₹1.75 lakh, it was the nearly ₹20 lakh deposit that left him astonished.
“₹19 lakh for security deposit! Absolutely bonkers what landlords are expecting these days. I could literally buy a Mahindra Thar for less,” he wrote. He also asked for suggestions to find a place around Indiranagar with a smaller deposit of 2–3 months, keeping his rent budget between ₹80,000–1 lakh.
His post quickly went viral, drawing a flood of reactions from Bengaluru residents who mixed humour with criticism.
One user quipped, “Unless they include a butler, chef, driver, and AI playing music, this isn’t worth it. My bed better have AI sending minerals to my brain.”
Another remarked, “Totally insane—landlords acting like they’re leasing out Mars.”
Others compared Bengaluru to Mumbai’s already pricey rentals, while some questioned if renting made sense when deposits rival home down payments.
This isn’t Caleb’s first viral moment; earlier, he posted a video comparing Bengaluru’s chaotic traffic with Aizawl’s quiet streets, sparking similar conversations online.