Landlords caught for illegally renting homes to foreign nationals

Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) has taken legal action against five property owners for unlawfully leasing homes to international citizens without proper notification to the authorities. The move comes after a focused inspection unearthed ten foreigners residing beyond their visa limits.

Officials transferred the overstaying individuals to a detention facility after presenting them before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The properties in question were spread across Ramamurthynagar, Banasawadi, Parappana Agrahara, Soladevanahalli, and Varthur.

According to regulations, homeowners are legally bound to report foreign tenants within 24 hours through the FRRO’s online system using Form C. Skipping this step is a direct breach of the Foreigners Act.

A senior officer mentioned that in the past two years, 70 property owners have come under scrutiny for similar lapses. “We’ve initiated criminal proceedings in each case,” the official noted. Out of these, 42 are currently undergoing trial in court. One case, involving a homeowner from Bandepalya, recently concluded with a conviction and a ₹5,000 penalty.

Officials emphasized that once landlords submit the tenant’s details online, they must print and retain the acknowledgment as proof of compliance.

Authorities are urging citizens to adhere strictly to these protocols, warning that ignorance or negligence could lead to prosecution under Section 7 of the Act. The message is clear — aesthetics and income must never come before legal accountability.

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