DU Students Battle High Rents and Rental Fraud as New Session Begins

As the new academic session begins at the University of Delhi, thousands of students arriving in the Capital are finding that the first challenge is not academics but securing affordable accommodation. A rental market marked by high prices, exploitative brokerage, withheld security deposits, and a chronic shortage of affordable housing is turning the initial weeks into a stressful ordeal.

Students across neighbourhoods adjoining the university told The Hindu that even modest living arrangements are hard to find, often consuming their first week in the city and straining family budgets. For 18-year-old Ahmed from Kargil in Ladakh, the search began with shock. "The paying guest accommodations near the college were asking ₹20,000 to ₹22,000 a month for single rooms without basic facilities," he said.

To avoid such rates, Ahmed stayed with friends in Vijay Nagar before renting a one-room set for ₹10,500. "It is just one room with a washroom and a shelf that serves as a kitchen. There is no ventilation or proper facilities. It is simply not worth it," he added.

Manisha, who arrived from West Bengal on July 28, spent over a week searching before finding a shared room in Ghanta Ghar, about two kilometres from her college. She and her roommate pay ₹6,000 each for a room with basic amenities, excluding food and transport. "I receive only ₹10,000 from home every month, so I have to manage within that budget. I usually walk to save money," she said.

She alleged that brokers and landlords often overcharge students and impose restrictive conditions. "They ask whether you eat vegetarian or non-vegetarian food before anything else. Many openly say they will not allow non-vegetarian food," she said. Students also reported frequent disputes over security deposits, with some alleging that landlords withhold refunds or change terms after agreements are made.

The challenges are more severe for students with disabilities. Himanshi, who moved from Bihar and joined the university last week, said she has been unable to find a suitable home. "Many properties lack ramps, and lifts are too small for my wheelchair. Even a basic one-bedroom set is being quoted at nearly ₹40,000 in some places," she said, adding that she is currently staying with a relative while her family continues the search.

Instances of rental fraud have also emerged. Santosh, a postgraduate student, said he paid a token amount and advance rent after being shown photographs of a property online, only to find that the accommodation was entirely different when he arrived.

A property broker in Rohini, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the beginning of every academic session brings a sharp surge in demand, particularly from students arriving from Bihar, Punjab, the North-East, and southern States. "First-year students usually prefer PG accommodation with food, while senior students look for shared flats," he said, adding that disputes over security deposits are common. "In many cases, students pay the deposit and later find the room is smaller or lacks promised facilities. The amount is often not returned, forcing them either to stay or lose their money."

The broker also noted a price disparity. "A bed in a PG may cost around ₹7,000 for locals, but those from outside are often quoted ₹11,000. Even poorly maintained flats near campuses are rented for ₹17,000 to ₹20,000 because students have limited options and little understanding of the local rental market," he said. Many newcomers rely on seniors to find accommodation, creating an informal referral network through which brokers receive leads and sometimes charge higher commissions.

The situation highlights the need for greater student housing support and transparency in the rental market. (Names of some students have been changed at their request.)