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A recent LinkedIn post by Shravan Tickoo, a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur and IIT alumnus, has captured widespread attention online, reigniting long-standing concerns over tenant-landlord conflicts in India's tech capital. In his detailed post, Tickoo shared his frustrating experience with a landlord who allegedly withheld a significant portion of his Rs 1.5 lakh security deposit after he vacated a rented apartment in Sarjapur.

Tickoo said he lived in a 2BHK flat for two years, and despite a relatively uneventful stay, the move-out process turned unexpectedly bitter. He claimed that all communication during his tenancy was mediated by the building’s manager, as the landlord did not speak to him directly.

"She only speaks Kannada," he explained. “When I had moved in, my owner never spoke to me — not once in two years.”

Vague Charges And Lack Of Transparency

Tickoo alleged that upon vacating the flat, he was handed a list of deductions that he described as “absurd.” Among the charges were Rs 55,000 for painting and over Rs 25,000 for miscellaneous damages. He also claimed he was billed Rs 2,000 for using the building's lift during the move.

"I had asked her to provide a list of actual purchases, with invoices. All I got was a handwritten sheet with random charges," he wrote. In the end, he said he received just Rs 68,000 of his original deposit.

Systemic Issue

While he acknowledged not being fully diligent when signing the lease, Tickoo expressed his growing disillusionment with how tenants are treated in Bengaluru. "Dealing with landlords in Bengaluru is just disheartening," he said. "There should be better protections and support for those who’ve left their hometowns behind to build a life in Bengaluru — the apparent future city of India.”

Online Reactions Pour In

The post resonated with thousands, with users from across India recounting similar experiences in cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi.

“You are getting your deposits back? I had a similar minion/broker. The owner doesn't speak directly. She speaks English, but doesn't want to speak, that's all. Got back 0 per cent of the deposit. He also had the audacity to ask for an extra 30,000 because we gave 3 weeks notice instead of 4,” one of the internet users wrote.

Another user wrote, “This is a scam in itself, very rampant in Bengaluru. I faced it myself, thankfully it was a 1-BHK and the amount wasn't as big. But I didn't get back a single rupee. The police wouldn't do anything.”