The individual shared a detailed account of the experience on Reddit after recently leaving a corporate job and deciding to track every expense associated with the search for a rental flat in Gurgaon. The post quickly gained traction online, with numerous users from Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Mumbai saying they had faced similar challenges while searching for homes in major metropolitan cities.
According to the post, the tenant paid Rs 45,000 in brokerage charges alone. Additional expenses included Rs 4,200 spent on ride-hailing services while visiting multiple properties, Rs 3,100 on meals during the search period, and Rs 400 on mobile calls and internet data. The individual also reported losing Rs 10,000 in token money during an unsuccessful attempt to finalise a property.
When these costs were combined with a security deposit of Rs 1.8 lakh and the first month’s rent of Rs 90,000, the total expenditure reached Rs 3,52,000.
“Total cost to find one flat: Rs 82,000-plus. That is on top of the security deposit of Rs 1,80,000 and the first month’s rent of Rs 90,000. So the actual cost of finding a flat in Gurgaon was Rs 3,52,000 before I had slept one night in the place,” the Reddit user wrote.
The tenant described the search process as mentally draining and criticised the lack of preparedness among property brokers. According to the post, more than 15 brokers were contacted, but nearly 80 per cent had never personally visited the flats they were attempting to show.
“The worst part? Of the 15-plus brokers I called, at least 80 per cent had never been inside the flat they were trying to show me. The photos were more than two years old. A third of the listings were already rented,” the individual stated.
In one instance, the tenant visited a flat where a large tree outside the building blocked sunlight entirely during the daytime.
The post triggered widespread discussion about escalating rental prices and the hidden costs of securing housing in India’s largest urban centres. Several users suggested more affordable alternatives within Gurgaon.
One user recommended New Gurgaon, particularly sectors along the Dwarka Expressway and areas between Sector 80 and Sector 109, stating that these localities offer better affordability, peaceful surroundings and strong connectivity.
Another commenter described the expenses as a “friction tax,” arguing that the true burden was not merely the brokerage fee but the inefficiencies and failed coordination embedded in the rental process.
Several users also questioned the decision to pay Rs 90,000 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. One commenter stated that such a rent was excessive and reflected the growing pressure to maintain a certain urban lifestyle despite steep housing costs.
Another user suggested that older parts of Gurgaon offer significantly more economical options, claiming that three-bedroom apartments can be found for less than Rs 30,000 per month. The commenter added that active Resident Welfare Association groups in these neighbourhoods help residents address common issues collectively.
The viral post has once again highlighted the financial and emotional burden of renting in India’s major cities, where prospective tenants are often required to pay substantial sums in brokerage, deposits and incidental expenses long before they move into their new homes.
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