News: Bengaluru Renter Asked for HR Character Certificate-01-05-2026

A Bengaluru professional’s account of what a landlord demanded before letting out a one-bedroom flat has set off a discussion on how far tenant checks should go in the city.

In a post on the professional networking platform Grapevine, the tenant said he was asked for his manager’s phone number, bank statements for the last six months and a character certificate from his HR department. The flat in question, he wrote, was a damp 1BHK with visible seepage on the walls. He remarked that he was "trying to rent a house, not adopt a child".

Several users responded that verification in Bengaluru has grown into wide personal and financial scrutiny. Some who identified themselves as landlords defended the checks as a way to reduce risks ranging from damage to the property to defaults on rent.

The city’s practice of collecting up to 10 months’ rent as security deposit, far higher than in most Indian cities, also came up. One user asked why landlords take such a large advance and alleged that the money is never returned in full, with deductions made on one pretext or another. Another felt that a company name and perhaps a LinkedIn profile were reasonable to ask for, while a character certificate, payslip and the HR manager’s number were excessive.

Landlords aired their own complaints. One claimed tenants had deliberately smashed his interiors with a bat, another cited late-night noise, and a third listed things flushed down toilets, oil poured into kitchen sinks and drilling into bathroom tiles, which lead to costly plumbing repairs and broken walls.

Tenants countered that owners often ignore structural faults. One said a kitchen leak appeared within two days of moving in, the entire wall had to be broken down, and no compensation was given.

Advocate Akash Bantia said tenants should also do their checks: verify ownership papers such as sale deeds and property tax receipts, confirm the landlord’s identity, and ensure the agreement clearly sets out rent, deposit, notice period and maintenance duties. He advised speaking to earlier occupants where possible and making sure the agreement contains clear provisions protecting tenants’ rights.

This report is based on user-generated social media content that HT.com has not independently verified and does not endorse.