Delhi woman slams landlady for 'petty, greedy' attempt to withhold security deposit

A Delhi-based entrepreneur has called out her landlady for allegedly deducting money from her security deposit over the removal of barbed wires covering the property's entrance gate.

Sristy Choudhury, who is vacating the property after three years, shared a video in which she showed the condition of the premises and recounted her conversation with the landlady.

Her landlady questioned why she had removed the bamboo structures she had installed and raised concerns about the removal of barbed wires, warning that the cost would be deducted from her security deposit.

“She asked me why I kept the bamboos down, and I told her that I got this made and put up here. So, naturally, I would take it down when I am leaving. She said, ‘What about our security? You took out the barbed wires from here. So now we are going to minus that from your security deposit,’” she said in the video.

She also showed a picture of the barbed wires, arguing that the way they had been installed made the entrance unsuitable for a business.

“These landlords are going to do anything to extract extra money out of you, and it is so frustrating. This is the type of behaviour that has led us to leave this place. This feels so unfair,” she said, adding that the property had been neglected for years.

Sristy also pointed to seepage in the premises and questioned the landlady's decision to deduct money over the barbed wires. Calling the move “petty and greedy,” she expressed frustration over what she described as attempts to unfairly withhold her security deposit.

In the caption accompanying the video, Sristy said she had taken over the property in a rundown condition that most people would have hesitated to occupy. After three years, she was now trying to leave it in better condition than she had found it.

“But I am amused at the kind of reasons that are being given to steal my deposit. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry,” she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sristy (@sristy.choudhury_)

In the comments section, Sristy provided further context, explaining that the property had remained unused and in a dilapidated condition for years. She said the entrance gate had been covered with barbed wires, which had to be removed to allow customers to enter the business premises.

The landlords, she said, were aware of the decision and had been involved in the discussions about it. She also argued that the entrance would need to be made welcoming for any future tenant.

Sristy Choudhury was particularly disappointed by the landlords' behaviour despite having invested time and effort in transforming the neglected property into a welcoming business space. She also said that she had maintained cordial relations with them throughout her three-year stay and was saddened that her tenancy was ending on such a bitter note.- Ends