In a striking example of the escalating rent crisis in Bengaluru, a woman expressed her disappointment on social media after being asked to pay a staggering Rs 5 lakh as deposit for a flat costing Rs 40,000 per month. Harnidh Kaur’s post on X (formerly Twitter) sparked widespread interest and debate, with many users labeling the city’s rental prices as “out of control”.

“5 lakh deposit for a flat for 40 lakh rent. I’m so tired,” Kaur’s post read, outlining the growing discontent among tenants in the city.

Unlike other metropolitan areas such as Delhi, where deposits typically range from one to two months’ rent, Bengaluru’s real estate market has seen deposits go as high as five or even ten months’ rent due to a severe shortage of space and inflated property values. The demand for Rs 5 lakh exceeds the entire year’s rent, meaning a total of Rs 4.8 lakh for Kaur’s future flat.

As Kaur’s post gained traction, reactions began to come from users on the platform. Fitness influencer Chirag Barjatya questioned the ethics of such high deposits and asked: “One year deposit? Which city? When did this become the norm? Why is this not unethical?”

Others echoed similar sentiments, with one user stating: “The worst part is they never refund the deposit and offer a ridiculous novelty in the name of a fix.”

“I feel lucky to rent in the days when the norm now was just 1 month’s deposit and 1 month’s rent upfront,” another user said.

The debate also evolved into a broader debate about the quality of life in Indian cities; some users claimed that Delhi offers better living conditions due to superior public transport and affordability. “Delhi is the best place to live in India,” said one user, praising the city’s amenities and emphasizing the need to improve air quality.

As the conversation progressed, some users speculated about whether buying a home might be a better financial decision than renting at such exorbitant prices. Conversely, others have criticized landlords for their perceived greed in pricing tenants out of the market.

Meanwhile, a Bengaluru landlord who supports such a high deposit said, “Buy and figure out for yourself what it takes to own a house or stop crying over the rules set by a privately owned property owner.”