Bengaluru Rental Market Sees Emergence of Predatory Viewing Fee Schemes

Intelligence analysis indicates a concerning development in Bengaluru's competitive rental sector, where landlords are implementing exploitative viewing fees under the guise of securing property access. A recent incident involving a young professional being demanded one month's rent merely to inspect an apartment has triggered widespread digital outcry, with online communities universally condemning the practice as fraudulent. This pattern represents a systemic vulnerability in urban housing markets, where supply-demand imbalances enable such predatory behaviors. The scheme capitalizes on Bengaluru's acute housing shortage, particularly affecting young professionals and migrant workers who face intense competition for limited inventory. Our assessment suggests these viewing fees operate outside regulatory frameworks, creating financial exposure for vulnerable renters without contractual protections. The viral response demonstrates growing public awareness of rental market exploitation, potentially signaling increased scrutiny of landlord practices. This development warrants monitoring by housing authorities and consumer protection agencies, as such practices could undermine market integrity and exacerbate affordability challenges in India's technology capital.