Over the past year, Bengaluru's rent has nearly doubled. Bengaluru landlords charge rent at the highest rates among India's metros, according to market analysts.
Bengaluru rents are the highest in India's metros. Understand the reasons behind the rent increase and your rights as a tenant to protect yourself from an unfair rent increase.
Over the past year, Bengaluru's rent has nearly doubled. Bengaluru landlords charge rent at the highest rates among India's metros, according to market analysts.
Reasons For Rent Hike
More than 1.5 million workers in multinational companies like Google, Amazon and Accenture live in the state. Although many had left the city during the COVID-19 pandemic, most have now returned to resume work, and landlords are looking to recoup their lost revenue.
The slowdown in construction activities and increasing traffic congestion may have pushed the Bengaluru rents higher. Generally, traffic congestion makes people choose homes near their offices, which are mostly concentrated in select areas, thereby raising the demand for flats.
Due to the ongoing rent hikes, more landlords may try to take advantage of it by raising their rent and trying to evict you for a richer tenant. Meanwhile, many techies have vented frustration on social media about rising rents.
“My Bengaluru landlord hiked up the rent without warning, completely ignoring the terms of the contract. And when I asked for an explanation, he simply said, “If you don’t like it, you can leave and find a new place. The rent in my area has gone up by 100 per cent in just 1 year,” a Twitter user wrote.
“Looks like Bengaluru’s techies are fighting a new kind of battle! Rents have doubled, and the struggle to find affordable housing is real,” another netizen said. It would be helpful for you as a tenant to be informed of your rights in this rising rate environment.
Rights As A Tenant
Tenants have certain basic rights, such as the right against unfair eviction, the right to pay fair rent, and the right to access essential services.
Rent Control Act 1948 requires tenants and landlords to sign a written tenancy agreement before moving into rented accommodations. If the contract is valid, rights and duties can be protected.
The eviction rules generally vary from state to state. However, a tenant cannot be evicted if he pays the revised rent. But if the owner wants to increase it, he must give three months' notice to the tenant. In Bengaluru, many people complained on social media that owners announced rent hikes without warning.
The rent agreement should always mention the maximum rent hikes agreed upon mutually. This will check unfair hikes. Tenants can also protest forced evictions. Before asking you to leave, the land owner should legally give you 15 days' notice. Under the proposed Model Tenancy Act, a landowner cannot stop power and water supply for tenants. Within a month of vacating the house, the landlord must return the security deposit after adjusting any dues to this amount.
Tenants have a right to live undisturbed. Before entering the property, the owner must give prior notice or inform the tenant appropriately. Maintenance and renovation work in the house is the landlord's responsibility, while paying for utilities and services like power, water, etc., is the tenant's responsibility.