A Bengaluru man’s Reddit post has gone viral after he accused his landlord of disappearing without returning his security deposit, a claim that’s resonating deeply with city tenants who say they’ve faced similar ordeals. The incident, reportedly from BTM Layout, has reignited a long-running debate about tenant rights and unethical practices in Bengaluru’s competitive rental market.
Tenant Alleges Landlord Went Missing After Flat Handover in BTM Layout
The tenant, who shared his experience on Reddit, said he had given proper notice and completed the handover process as per the rental agreement. However, once he vacated the property, his landlord allegedly stopped responding to calls and messages.
“As per the rental agreement, the owner was supposed to return my security deposit. However, after vacating the flat, Mr Chaitanya stopped responding to my phone calls and messages. He has disappeared without returning the money or providing any explanation,” the post read.
The tenant described the situation as part of a “current scam of Bangalore,” alleging that many landlords exploit tenants by withholding deposits after the contract ends.
He further appealed to the authorities: “Such actions are unethical and amount to cheating and breach of trust. I kindly request the Bangalore Police and Karnataka Police to take immediate action against Mr Chaitanya and help me recover my rightful deposit. I am also willing to provide proof of tenancy, rental agreement, chat/call records, and bank details of the deposit transaction if required.”
Screenshots Show Tenant’s Desperate Attempts to Contact Landlord
The Redditor also shared a screenshot of his WhatsApp chat with the landlord, showing multiple unanswered messages and call attempts. The final message in the chat read: “Why the hell do you scam people, bro? There is no way you are doing this on purpose. This is why we shouldn’t have given you the keys.”
According to the post, the landlord’s sudden disappearance came after the flat was handed over — leaving the tenant without his deposit and no clear way to recover it.
‘This Is Common in Bengaluru’: Other Tenants Share Their Stories
The viral post triggered a flood of similar experiences in the comment section, with several users recounting how they too were denied their deposits after vacating rental homes in areas such as HSR Layout, KR Puram, and BTM Layout.
One user commented: “Same is happening with me. Just moved out of HSR Layout Sector 2. Owner has cars worth crores but can’t return 20k.”
Another wrote: “I’ve been scammed 50k, never give keys back without getting your deposit first.”
A third shared a bizarre yet harmless act of protest: “When I lived in KR Puram, the owner deducted three months’ rent for ridiculous reasons. I knew how to open the windows from outside, so the next day I threw bean bag fillers inside. It cost him thousands to clean it up.”
Another user added, “Same happened with me in BTM Layout Phase 2. The difference was around Rs 6,000 so I didn’t bother much. But the owner kept making excuses about cleanliness and damages just to delay repayment.”
Why Security Deposit Scams Are So Common in Bengaluru
Security deposit disputes are one of the most frequently reported rental issues in Bengaluru, where landlords often demand deposits worth six to ten months’ rent. Many tenants say they lose substantial sums due to vague clauses, arbitrary deductions, or landlords simply refusing to return the amount.
Consumer rights advocates argue that the absence of strong tenancy laws and poor enforcement allows such cases to persist. While Karnataka introduced the Model Tenancy Act, which recommends capping deposits at two months’ rent, the law has yet to be uniformly implemented across the state.
What Tenants Can Do to Protect Themselves
Legal experts suggest tenants take the following steps to safeguard their deposits:
As the online discussion grows, many are urging state authorities to take concrete action to protect tenants from what’s being dubbed the “security deposit scam.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
Tenant Alleges Landlord Went Missing After Flat Handover in BTM Layout
The tenant, who shared his experience on Reddit, said he had given proper notice and completed the handover process as per the rental agreement. However, once he vacated the property, his landlord allegedly stopped responding to calls and messages.
“As per the rental agreement, the owner was supposed to return my security deposit. However, after vacating the flat, Mr Chaitanya stopped responding to my phone calls and messages. He has disappeared without returning the money or providing any explanation,” the post read.
The tenant described the situation as part of a “current scam of Bangalore,” alleging that many landlords exploit tenants by withholding deposits after the contract ends.
He further appealed to the authorities: “Such actions are unethical and amount to cheating and breach of trust. I kindly request the Bangalore Police and Karnataka Police to take immediate action against Mr Chaitanya and help me recover my rightful deposit. I am also willing to provide proof of tenancy, rental agreement, chat/call records, and bank details of the deposit transaction if required.”
Screenshots Show Tenant’s Desperate Attempts to Contact Landlord
The Redditor also shared a screenshot of his WhatsApp chat with the landlord, showing multiple unanswered messages and call attempts. The final message in the chat read: “Why the hell do you scam people, bro? There is no way you are doing this on purpose. This is why we shouldn’t have given you the keys.”
According to the post, the landlord’s sudden disappearance came after the flat was handed over — leaving the tenant without his deposit and no clear way to recover it.
‘This Is Common in Bengaluru’: Other Tenants Share Their Stories
The viral post triggered a flood of similar experiences in the comment section, with several users recounting how they too were denied their deposits after vacating rental homes in areas such as HSR Layout, KR Puram, and BTM Layout.
One user commented: “Same is happening with me. Just moved out of HSR Layout Sector 2. Owner has cars worth crores but can’t return 20k.”
Another wrote: “I’ve been scammed 50k, never give keys back without getting your deposit first.”
A third shared a bizarre yet harmless act of protest: “When I lived in KR Puram, the owner deducted three months’ rent for ridiculous reasons. I knew how to open the windows from outside, so the next day I threw bean bag fillers inside. It cost him thousands to clean it up.”
Another user added, “Same happened with me in BTM Layout Phase 2. The difference was around Rs 6,000 so I didn’t bother much. But the owner kept making excuses about cleanliness and damages just to delay repayment.”
Why Security Deposit Scams Are So Common in Bengaluru
Security deposit disputes are one of the most frequently reported rental issues in Bengaluru, where landlords often demand deposits worth six to ten months’ rent. Many tenants say they lose substantial sums due to vague clauses, arbitrary deductions, or landlords simply refusing to return the amount.
Consumer rights advocates argue that the absence of strong tenancy laws and poor enforcement allows such cases to persist. While Karnataka introduced the Model Tenancy Act, which recommends capping deposits at two months’ rent, the law has yet to be uniformly implemented across the state.
What Tenants Can Do to Protect Themselves
Legal experts suggest tenants take the following steps to safeguard their deposits:
- Always insist on a written agreement detailing the deposit amount, notice period, and return terms.
- Click pictures or videos of the property during move-in and move-out to document its condition.
- Do not hand over the keys until the deposit is returned or a written commitment is signed.
- File a police complaint or consumer case if the landlord refuses repayment without justification.
As the online discussion grows, many are urging state authorities to take concrete action to protect tenants from what’s being dubbed the “security deposit scam.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
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Bengaluru tenant says landlord vanished with security deposit; Viral post exposes growing "deposit scam" menace in the city
