Startup founder: Dream city for startups, tenants suffer

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bengaluru, long heralded as the tech capital of India, often hides a grim reality for those seeking a home within the city. Beneath the success stories of startups and booming businesses lies a housing market where tenants frequently find themselves exploited and powerless. Shravan Tickoo, founder of Rethink Systems, recently shared a troubling story of a couple who rented a 2BHK apartment for Rs 55,000 per month.

Despite paying rent on time every month, they were met with neglect when it came to property maintenance. “It’s your headache to fix it,” the landlord’s response was relayed through intermediaries, leaving the tenants to foot over Rs 1 lakh in repair costs for issues that were clearly the landlord's responsibility. The saga continued when the couple decided to vacate the apartment. Despite having paid a Rs 1.75 lakh deposit, they were informed that it would not be returned.

The landlord, citing "maintenance costs," refused to engage in any negotiations, and when the tenants proposed deducting one month’s rent from the deposit, they received a blunt and arrogant response: “Do whatever you can, but this is what it is.” Left with no choice, the couple had to leave without receiving any part of their deposit. This story is not unique, as Tickoo emphasised that such exploitation is widespread, particularly for non-native Bengalureans. Landlords, eager to raise rents, show little regard for tenants’ well-being or their living conditions.

For many, Bengaluru’s promise of opportunity can quickly turn into a nightmare of housing-related issues, with landlords prioritising profits over fairness. Entrepreneurs and newcomers looking to make it big in the city must approach the housing market with caution. Tickoo’s advice is simple: "Focus on people and agreements wisely." Navigating Bengaluru’s housing landscape, as many have learned, can be just as challenging as building a successful business in this city of dreams.