New to Mumbai, or just tired of surprises? Here’s what actually costs money when you rent — deposits, brokerage, the agreement — and what to check before you sign.
Rent is only part of the cost of moving into a Mumbai flat. The deposit, brokerage and a registered agreement can add up to several months’ rent upfront — so it pays to know the norms before you start viewing. (These are general norms; every landlord and society is different, and this isn’t legal advice.)
In Mumbai, security deposits typically run from about 2 to 6 months’ rent. Standard flats are often 2–3 months; premium buildings, gated societies and some landlords ask 5–6 months or more. The deposit is refundable at the end of the tenancy, minus any unpaid dues or genuine damages — and it is negotiable. Get the refund terms and any deductions in writing, and do a signed inventory of furniture and fittings on day one so there’s no dispute later.
Brokerage is usually around one month’s rent (sometimes 15 days), and is most often paid by the tenant. There’s nothing hidden about it once you ask — so ask upfront: how much is the brokerage, and who pays it? On MPE, you can message us on WhatsApp before you view and we’ll tell you the brokerage and terms for a specific flat, so there are no surprises.
The standard rental contract in Maharashtra is a Leave & License agreement, usually for 11 months, and registration is mandatory. Registration involves a small stamp duty (roughly 0.25% of the total rent over the term plus a portion of the deposit) and a registration fee — usually a few thousand rupees in total — and it can be done online with e-KYC. Police intimation (tenant verification) is also standard. A registered agreement protects both sides, so insist on it rather than a plain notarised paper.
Keep ID, a recent address proof and an employer/relationship letter handy — most societies ask for them. Registration can be done online, so you don’t always have to be physically present, and an NRI owner can let a flat (rent is credited to an NRO account, with TDS where applicable). If you’re unsure what’s fair for your budget and area, our team can shortlist verified options and walk you through the paperwork.
Before you commit, it helps to know what a home should rent for in your area — see what flats rent for across Mumbai, then browse live rentals with the deposit shown on every listing.
