Bengaluru: Rs 23L security deposit for 4BHK apartment; internet in shock

Bengaluru’s soaring rental market is back in the spotlight after a social media post went viral, showcasing a luxury 4BHK property demanding a staggering Rs 23 lakh as a security deposit — equivalent to 10 months’ rent of Rs 2.3 lakh per month.

The post, shared by Canadian digital creator Caleb Friesen on X (formerly Twitter), slammed the exorbitant demand, calling it “outrageous” and branding Bengaluru landlords as “the greediest in the world.”

“Rs. 23 lakh security deposit (10 months’ rent) is OUTRAGEOUS,” Friesen wrote, comparing the city’s rental practices to global standards. He pointed out that in cities like New York and Toronto, tenants usually pay a one-month deposit, Singapore requires one month per year of lease, San Francisco asks for two months, Dubai 5%-10% of annual rent, and London typically 5-6 weeks’ rent. In contrast, the Bengaluru listing demanded a year’s worth of rent upfront.

The property at the center of the debate is a sprawling 4,500 sq. ft. fully furnished independent house in Bennigana Halli, listed with a monthly rent of Rs 2.3 lakh and an advance of Rs 23 lakh.

Friesen’s post ignited a heated discussion online about the city’s rental culture. Many expressed shock at the massive deposit requirement, while others noted that such demands aren’t unusual for high-end rentals in Bengaluru. Some residents argued that 5-6 months’ rent is more common and blamed the phenomenon on a “low-trust rental ecosystem” and the absence of strong tenant protection laws.

One user commented, “Very greedy. And when you vacate, they’ll find excuses to deduct from the deposit and return only a fraction.”

Another wrote, “Twelve months is extreme, but 5-6 months is the usual here. It reflects low trust between landlords and tenants and high property costs compared to cities abroad.”

A third added, “Landlords demand it because tenants pay. If people refused to pay 12 months upfront, the rates would drop.”

A fourth questioned government priorities: “Why impose price controls on movie tickets — a luxury — but not on housing, which is a basic necessity?”

The viral post underscores growing frustration over Bengaluru’s housing market, where premium rentals and steep deposits are becoming the norm, raising concerns about affordability and tenant rights.