Moving out of home and staying at a rented place can be a big step for young adults, and the newfound freedom definitely seems exciting. But coming across landlords with bizarre restrictions is unfortunately commonplace in our society.
A Twitter user shared her experiences of the judgemental stares and questions she faced from landlords. The reason? Just being a single woman looking for accommodation, that too in a metropolitan city like Mumbai. Check it out:
I started looking for a place in Mumbai and all the trauma of judgemental questions and stares came back, living in the same place for 4 years had made me forget that the society doesn’t like successful women without a man by their side.
— Aanchal Agrawal (@awwwnchal) July 30, 2021
Questions like “how are you able to afford the rent?” Because I work, how else? And before you say “but they are concerned about their money” these people take 6 months rent in advance as deposit for a flat which has nothing more than a light bulb (that too sometimes).
— Aanchal Agrawal (@awwwnchal) July 30, 2021
My friend was taking a 1bhk apartment for herself, her mother and younger sister and they were shamed by the society secretary who asked them “where is your husband?, a family has a husband wife and children” my friend’s father passed away unfortunately, so they’re not a family?
— Aanchal Agrawal (@awwwnchal) July 30, 2021
Many desis chimed in with their reactions. Some shared similar experiences that they’ve faced in this regard:
💯! And it is not a Mumbai phenomenon, it is a Pan indian issue. Faced the same thing long ago in Hyderabad,I had to involve my dad to finally be able
to rent a house. Patriarchy in Indian society manifests in so many ways😟— AG (@Anjana13173152) July 30, 2021
Mumbai can be extremely harsh this wat. We were once told accha hai 1 bhai hai warna kya hi hota aap logo ka… my brother is youngest, was in school. I was working. They have no respect for women. Especially old maharashtrian uncles 😡
— Purnima Srivastava (@divinpur) July 30, 2021
Word.
And yeah, last time I was house hunting I was telling my parents that I might just get married so that I get a nice place to stay, and without judgements.
I also had to put out a few white lies and create fictitious extended family in the city for 'respectability' https://t.co/IrgPekxzjf— Natasha (@thebokettogirl) July 30, 2021
This year, while house-hunting, decided to be completely unapologetic about being happily single. Brokers & society uncles latch onto your body language like chamgaadars. Got really decent deal by the end of it, no questions asked. https://t.co/MgmrNbFVnH
— Antara Lahiri (@AntaraLahiri) July 30, 2021
Have you ever been in this situation? Share your experiences in the comments section.