Mumbai Tenant Asks Why Landlords Treat ‘Deposit Like A Personal Bonus Fund?'

News18

5 hours ago

The Redditor has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the landlord.
A Reddit user shared their experience dealing with a landlord in Navi Mumbai after vacating a rented flat four months into a one-year agreement. Despite following all terms and maintaining the flat well, they are now struggling to recover the full security deposit. In a post titled, 'Are all Mumbai landlords crackheads?," the user explained that they had signed a one-year rental agreement for a flat in Navi Mumbai but had to move out after four months due to personal reasons.
'So here's the deal. I had rented a flat in Navi Mumbai and signed a 1-year agreement. But due to some personal reasons, I had to move out after 4 months. There was no lock-in period mentioned in the agreement, so I followed the rules and gave a proper 1-month notice, as required," the user wrote.
The user didn't just leave, they took care to return the flat in excellent shape. 'Before moving out, I even made sure to get the place professionally deep cleaned and repainted any walls that needed touch-ups," they explained. This was done 'just to hand the flat back in the best condition possible, the same way I received it."
They had paid Rs 40,000 as a security deposit. But after vacating, only Rs 20,000 was returned. The user wrote, 'Now here comes the circus. I had paid Rs 40,000 as a security deposit when I moved in. After vacating, I've been politely and repeatedly following up for over a month, and this guy has only returned Rs 20,000 so far."
When they asked for the remaining Rs 20,000, the landlord gave what the user called 'the wildest excuses." He said he had to pay Rs 10,000 to a new broker and that his previous broker didn't refund him the earlier brokerage. 'So I'm expected to cover his losses. Like… what??" the user said.
'Honestly, the way some landlords here operate is mind-boggling. They treat the deposit like it's their personal bonus fund. And after that his audacity to send me a emoji on serious text," the user concluded. They also attached screenshots of their WhatsApp conversation with the landlord over the security deposit.
The post gained significant attention and in the comments section many people shared their opinions.
One user commented, 'If there was no lock in period in agreement he cannot penalise you post-facto."
Another shared, 'I swear to God, dealing with owners for deposit is just crazy and frustrating AF. I gave notice as part of the agreement but still after a month not yet received the deposit. I hate dealing with these entitled**."
'Most landlords in Mumbai are obnoxious and extremely difficult to deal with. They usually have ties with the brokers. This scammy combo is always on the lookout to scam the tenant," someone said.
A person pointed out, 'Kindly read your rent agreement once and check what it says, if there is a lock-in of 6 months, and it is explicitly mentioned what happens if you leave before 6 months, he has all the rights to keep the deposit…and if it wasn't mentioned then you are liable to get it back. Now in general if I am renting out my property I would keep 6 months locked-in ..and if the tenant stay is purely short term, I would inflate the rent by 10-15 per cent."
The user also mentioned that they have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the landlord and will also send a legal notice through their lawyer friend.
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tags :
mumbai rent viral news
Location :
Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 28, 2025, 11:11 IST
News viral Mumbai Tenant Asks Why Landlords Treat 'Deposit Like A Personal Bonus Fund?'