Lesson 2 of 3 · 6 min
Deposits, verification, and moving in
Deposit norms are a city convention rather than a law, and the first day in the flat — camera in hand, metre reading noted — is when the deposit is really won.
Deposit norms are a city thing, not a law
- Delhi NCR
- 1–2 months' rent
- Mumbai
- 3–6 months' rent
- Bengaluru
- 5–10 months' rent
- Model Tenancy Act cap
- 2 months' rent
Convention, not law — and always negotiable
Often higher for furnished flats
The famous outlier. Many landlords settle for less when asked
Applies only where a state has adopted the Act
Police verification: many city police forces require landlords to submit tenant details, usually through an online form or the local police station. It exists because flats have been rented under false identities, and it protects both sides.
The landlord knows who you are, and you get a paper trail proving you live there. Expect to hand over a photo and ID proof. That is normal, not nosy.
Put these in order
You have found a flat and agreed the rent verbally. Put what follows in order.
- On day one, video the whole flat and note the electricity metre reading
- Pay the deposit by bank transfer, so the amount is provable later
- Sign on stamp paper and keep one original copy yourself
- Read the final agreement fully and match it against what was promised
- Get every agreed term into the draft agreement — rent, deposit, notice, lock-in
Spot the scam · WhatsApp
The landlord you can never meet
Hello dear, flat is available. I am army officer, currently posted in Leh, cannot come for showing. Flat keys are with security guard. Transfer Rs 20,000 booking deposit today itself, 6 families are in line for this flat. I refund fully if you don't like it. God bless.
Check yourself
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Kabir asks
A Bengaluru landlord asks for eight months' rent as deposit. What is the position?
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