Bengaluru tenant accuses landlord of deducting Rs 51,000 from security deposit after vacating flat

The tenant paid ₹10,000 for cleaning and ₹5,000 was kept as a buffer. (Image credit: iStock/Representational Image)

• Bengaluru tenant claims ₹51,000 unfairly deducted from deposit
• Landlord charged for repainting, cleaning, and a safety buffer
• Debate ignites over high rent deductions and tenant rights

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Landlords often deduct maintenance costs from a tenant’s security deposit, but a recent case in Bengaluru sparked debate after a tenant claimed he was unfairly charged while vacating a 2.5 BHK flat.

Sharing the experience on Reddit, the tenant said over ₹51,000 was deducted for repainting, cleaning and what the owner described as a safety buffer. According to the post, the landlord insisted that the entire flat, including doors, be repainted before handover.

The tenant claimed that when a painter first inspected the flat during his stay, the estimated cost was under Rs 20,000 as minimal work was required. However, after he moved out, the painter allegedly coordinated directly with the owner and the repainting cost rose to Rs 36,000. The tenant said he was neither consulted nor shown multiple quotations before the final amount was decided.

In addition, Rs 10,000 was deducted for deep cleaning. The tenant argued that professional deep cleaning for a 3BHK typically costs around Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,000, making the charge feel excessive. A further Rs 5,000 was withheld as a safety buffer. The landlord, who reportedly lives in North America, said this amount would be refunded only after the new tenant moved in and stayed for two weeks to assess any additional wear and tear.

Feeling blindsided, the tenant wrote that the deductions left him harassed and frustrated.

The post received mixed reactions online. While some users said such charges are common if significant maintenance is required, others believed the deductions were unreasonable. Several commenters accused the owner of overcharging, while a few suggested taking legal action. The discussion also reignited complaints about high rental practices and tenant rights in the city.