Kamal Ghorui
Recently, a post on X (earlier Twitter) went viral for a very weird reason. It was a post that highlighted the unusual rental quote in Bengaluru’s HSR Layout where ₹80,000 per month was demanded for a flat because it “gets sunlight”. In no time, the post went viral and ignited debate over Karnataka’s capital city’s rising rents and shifting tenant expectations. In a now-viral tweet, a woman identified as Anu expressed her shock at being quoted ₹80,000 per month for a flat for sunlight, calling it a luxury. She wrote,“Bangalore rent would never stop surprising me. What do you mean ‘ma’am is room mein sunlight bhi aati hai to iska rent ₹80,000 hai’ 😭” — @Escapeplace__ (X/Twitter)There were some users who mocked the fact that natural light could warrant such a monthly rent. Some commenters said that even a small balcony could take rent up to ₹1 lakh in Bengaluru. Some also came up with suggestions like instead of paying INR 80,000 rent, pay an EMI.HSR Layout high demand However, not all reactions dismissed the reasoning. Some also defended the valuation. Some said that the basics such as sunlight and right ventilation are increasingly seen as non-negotiable quality-of-life features these days. Commenters also pointed out that HSR Layout is a premium area where rent is actually high.HSR Layout today has transformed into one of Bengaluru’s most sought-after residential markets. It is always in demand and high in rate because the region enjoys proximity to the IT corridor, has great connectivity, and also a luxury lifestyle.As someone who has several relatives living in Bengaluru, the common rental brackets for 2BHK apartments in the area ranged between ₹45,000 and ₹55,000 per month. But today, the rental story has changed in the region. There are listings now seen well above ₹70,000 depending on size and features. There are many apartments in HSR seeking rents in the ₹75,000–₹97,000 range. Some of these units enjoy sunlight and great ventilation. Real estate in BengaluruAs per real estate agents, features like natural light, ventilation, and views highly influence rental pricing. For example, higher-floor units where ventilation and light and airflow are better, are often priced above lower levels. Bengaluru’s real estate hotspotsBengaluru’s real estate is expected to grow by folds in 2026. The sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation of late. Some of the real estate hotspots in Bengaluru include regions like Sarjapur Road, Devanahalli, Whitefield, Electronic City, Hebbal, Yelahanka, Kanakapura Road and HSR Layout (Hosur-Sarjapur Road Layout). Among all, HSR Layout (Sarjapur Road) is experiencing explosive growth and a remarkable hike, especially in the last three to four years. The reason behind this boom would be the expansion of major IT parks including Wipro SEZ, Embassy Tech Village, and RGAA Tech Park. Then, connectivity is also important. Outer Ring Road (ORR) and ongoing extensions of the Namma Metro are another plus point which have added effect on rentals in the region.
