A Reddit user recently recounted their ordeal with a landlord in Navi Mumbai after vacating a rental flat just four months into a one-year lease. Despite strictly following the agreement terms and ensuring the apartment was left in pristine condition, they are now battling to recover their full security deposit.
In a Reddit thread, “Are all Mumbai landlords crackheads?”, the user described, “So here’s the deal. I had rented a flat in Navi Mumbai and signed a 1-year agreement. But because of some personal reasons, I had to vacate after 4 months. There was no lock-in period in the agreement, so I kept the rules in mind and served a valid 1-month notice, as mandated.”
Prior to leaving, the user was diligent about returning the apartment in great condition. “Prior to leaving, I even had the place professionally deep cleaned and repainted any walls that needed it,” they explained, saying this was done “just to hand the flat back in the best condition possible, the same as when I first got it.”
Even after that, real trouble started over the security deposit. They had paid Rs 40,000 initially but upon vacating, only Rs 20,000 was given back. “Now here comes the circus. I had paid Rs 40,000 as security deposit when I shifted in. After vacating, I’ve been politely and repeatedly following up for more than a month, and this guy has only given Rs 20,000 till now,” they posted.
The landlord’s reasons left the user agog. “Now comes the circus. I had paid Rs 40,000 as a security deposit when I shifted 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,” they shared. According to them, the landlord claimed he had to pay Rs 10,000 to a new broker and hadn’t recovered money from his previous agent. “So I’m expected to cover his losses. Like… what??” the user added.
Are all mumbai landlords crackheads ??
byu/Working_Hovercraft76 inmumbai
Angered, they complained, “I already paid a full month’s brokerage when I took in… why would I be held responsible for his internal disarray of agents? I done my part of the deal, left the unit in pristine condition, and provided him with proper notice. And now I’m getting punished for effectively nothing?”
They ended their post with the statement, “Honestly, the business sense of some landlords here is mind-boggling. They spend the deposit like it’s their bonus kitty. And to top that his audacity to send me an emoji on serious text,” also including screenshots of their WhatsApp conversations with the landlord.
Other Users Share Similar Frustrations
The post soon gained steam, with many commenting about their own experiences. One noted, “If there was no lock in period in agreement he cannot penalise you post-facto.” Another stated, “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**.”
A commenter noted, “Most landlords in Mumbai are obnoxious and very much unreasonable. They mostly have connections with the brokers. This scamful duo is always looking to scam the tenant.”
In the meantime, one person suggested reading over the lease carefully: “Please read your rent contract once and see what it says, if there is a 6-month lock-in, and it is clearly stated what happens if you vacate earlier than 6 months, he is entitled to retain the deposit…and if nothing was stated then you are bound to get it back. Now in general speaking if I am leasing out my property I would retain 6 months locked-in and in case the tenant stay is solely short term, I would hike the rent by 10-15 per cent.”
Not one to let the issue lie, the Reddit user also added that they have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the landlord and are going to send a legal notice via their lawyer friend.