Checklist Before Renting a House in Bangalore — 51 Things to Verify Before You Sign

Visit during daylight. Bring your phone for photos and video. Check everything while the owner or caretaker is present so there are no disputes later.

• Water supplyTurn on every tap. Check pressure, flow, and whether it runs continuously or on a timer. Ask: "What hours does water come?" Borewell-dependent buildings often have 1–2 hour windows only.
• Water heater (geyser)Turn on the geyser in every bathroom. Wait 3 minutes and test. Non-functional geysers are the most common move-in complaint in Bangalore.
• Electrical pointsTest every socket in every room with your phone charger. Count the number of points per room. A bedroom with one socket is a real problem.
• Lights and fansSwitch on every light and fan. Check for flickering, buzzing, or non-working fixtures.
• AC units (if furnished/semi-furnished)Turn on every AC. Let it run 5 minutes and feel for cooling. Check remote is present and functional.
• Windows and ventilationOpen every window. Check for natural light, cross ventilation, and whether windows close and latch properly. Bangalore summers demand ventilation.
• Walls and ceilingLook for damp patches, water stains, or peeling paint — especially on walls shared with a bathroom or on the ceiling below a terrace flat. Monsoon seepage is Bangalore's most common hidden defect.
• Bathroom fixturesFlush every toilet. Test shower pressure. Check for cracked tiles, leaking pipe joints, and whether the drain empties quickly.
• Kitchen — sink and drainageRun water in the kitchen sink for 30 seconds. Watch the drain. Slow drains mean blockage.
• Doors and locksOpen and close every door. Check the main door lock: does the key turn smoothly? Is there a deadbolt? Bangalore has had reported issues with flimsy door locks in standalone buildings.
• Mobile network signalMake a test call from the bedroom farthest from windows. Poor signal in concrete buildings is common in certain Bangalore areas (particularly basement or interior units).
• Natural light per roomTurn off all lights. Note how much daylight enters each room. Dark bedrooms affect quality of life and electricity costs.
• Storage spaceCount wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, and any built-in storage. Furnished flats often show wardrobes in photos that are not actually included.
• Pest signsCheck kitchen corners, under the sink, and bathroom gaps for cockroach droppings, gecko presence, or termite trails. Ask neighbours or the caretaker directly — they will usually tell you honestly.