Tenant says landlord withheld deposit over live-in relationship

A tenant in India alleged her landlord refused to renew her lease and withheld her ₹55,000 security deposit after discovering she was living with her unmarried male partner.

The tenant claimed the broker advised her to present herself as the sole occupant, and the landlord accused her of lying upon discovering the partner.

Real estate consultant Ketan Joshi noted that renting to unmarried couples remains a sensitive issue, with some housing societies prohibiting it.

The tenant initially agreed to forgo the deposit to end the confrontation but later questioned her legal recourse.