Tenants in Bengaluru Face Default One-Month Rent Deduction as Painting Fee

In Bengaluru’s rental housing market, it has become increasingly common for landlords to deduct an amount equivalent to one month's rent from the security deposit at the time of tenant exit—labelled as painting charges. Several tenants have shared similar experiences, suggesting that this deduction has now become a near-standard practice in the city’s fast-paced real estate scene.

Endroneel Ghosh, a marketing professional who recently moved to a 2BHK apartment near HSR Layout for ₹25,000 a month, revealed that he had to pay an additional month's rent at his previous home in Begur when vacating. The deduction was reportedly used for painting and cleaning, a practice many in the city are becoming all too familiar with.

Written Into the Contract

This clause isn’t hidden—most rental agreements in Bengaluru explicitly mention the tenant’s obligation to repaint the apartment or accept a fixed deduction. Documents reviewed by HT.com showed consistent clauses across multiple agreements, often stating that “one month’s rent will be deducted toward painting charges at the time of vacating.”

Landlords Justify the Expense

Landlords defend the deduction, arguing that it helps cover necessary upkeep. With increasing labour and material costs, they consider one month’s rent a fair benchmark for repainting and basic repairs. In many cases, it also covers bathroom cleaning, minor plumbing fixes, hardware replacements, and changing locks for security.

“There’s no law preventing it, as long as it’s in the agreement,” confirmed Avilash Naik, an advocate at the Karnataka High Court. “If both parties have agreed to the clause, it’s legally enforceable.”

Tenants Push Back

Despite the legality, tenants often feel the charge is applied rigidly. Complaints range from lack of transparency in the charges to the absence of itemised invoices. Several renters said the practice feels like a 'blanket rule' regardless of how long they stayed or the condition of the property upon exit.

One Indiranagar tenant who vacated after just three months managed to negotiate the deduction down to 15 days’ rent, citing the short duration of stay.

The Real Cost of Painting

Local realtors estimate that repainting a typical 2BHK (700–800 sq ft) costs between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000. In cases where rent is significantly higher—₹30,000 or more—landlords may be retaining amounts beyond the actual expenses incurred.

Luxury Rentals Operate Differently

At the upper end of the market, especially in premium and luxury rentals priced at ₹70,000 and above, landlords and tenants tend to handle painting and handover conditions more systematically. Detailed annexures outline expectations regarding fittings, furnishings, and cleanliness.

In one case in Indiranagar’s Defence Colony, a tenant of a ₹1.2 lakh/month 4BHK apartment repainted and repaired minor woodwork at his own cost before vacating, following a mutually agreed checklist with the landlord.

Manjesh S Rao, Chief Real Estate Officer at BrokerInBlue, confirmed that high-end rental agreements often include stringent handover clauses—sometimes even covering AC remote battery replacements—and typically allow deductions up to a month’s rent for non-compliance.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on publicly available sources, interviews, and third-party inputs. While we strive to ensure accuracy and relevance, Ghar.tv does not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or legal validity of the content. Readers are advised to consult legal or real estate professionals for specific advice related to rental agreements and tenant rights. Ghar.tv is not liable for any loss or inconvenience caused by reliance on the information presented herein.