What all can a landlord ask before giving you 1BHK? Bengaluru tenant says owner wanted manager’s number & character certificate. Internet asks, 'blood test next?'

Finding a house in Bengaluru is no longer just about rent and location, it’s starting to feel like a full-blown background check. A recent post has gone viral, showing just how extreme landlord demands can get in the city’s already chaotic rental market.

Techie’s Viral Post Sparks Debate

A software engineer from Gojek shared his experience on Grapevine, and it quickly struck a chord with many professionals.
According to him, a landlord demanded:

• His manager’s phone number
• Six months of bank statements
• A character certificate from HR

All this just to rent a 1BHK flat.


And it wasn’t even a premium property.

“A damp 1BHK with visible wall seepage,” he wrote, adding, “I am trying to rent a house, not adopt a child.”

He called the entire process “borderline illegal” and admitted it was mentally exhausting.

‘More Checks Than a Marriage Proposal’

The post quickly gained traction, with users sharing similar experiences of strict tenant verification in Bengaluru.

One consultant joked that landlords now do “more checks than if you were going to marry their daughters.” Another user added that even a marriage proposal would require far less paperwork.

Some people also warned that if landlords are this intrusive before moving in, tenants might face even more interference later.

Why Landlords Are Getting So Strict

While many criticised the system, a few users defended landlords.
They pointed out that:

• Evicting tenants in India can be legally difficult
• Non-payment of rent is a real concern
• Property damage risks make owners cautious

Because of this, even salaried professionals with stable jobs are being treated as high-risk tenants in Bengaluru’s rental market.

Bengaluru Rental Market: Bizarre Demands Becoming Normal

This isn’t an isolated case. The Bengaluru rental crisis has seen several unusual demands recently:

• A tenant reportedly asked to pay Rs 80,000 extra for “sunlight”
• Security deposits going up to 10 months’ rent
• A Canadian content creator claiming a landlord demanded Rs 23 lakh as deposit

These examples show how the city’s rental ecosystem is increasingly tilted in favour of landlords.

The Bengaluru rental scene is clearly changing, and not always for the better. What should be a simple house-hunting process now feels like a screening test.

While landlords may have valid concerns, many tenants feel the system is becoming overly intrusive and unfair. For now, renting a flat in Bengaluru isn’t just about affordability, it’s about passing a checklist that keeps getting longer.


Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post shared on Grapevine. ET.com has not independently verified the claims mentioned and does not guarantee their accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the individual user and do not reflect the official position of ET.com. Readers are advised to exercise discretion.