India, April 14 -- For several house hunters in Bengaluru, the search for a rental home is turning into an exercise in compromise. As rents climb steeply, the size and quality of available apartments appear to be shrinking. Many are forced into 200 sq ft 'matchbox' 2BHK flats, some even described as coming with 'cockroaches as flatmates', commanding a staggering Rs.80,000 in rent, leaving tenants frustrated by what they see as unrealistic landlord expectations.

"2bhk flat available. It's 200 sq feet, the house is falling apart, the bathroom leaks, and it comes with a group of cockroaches as flatmates. There is mould in every corner, and it's probably haunted by the ghost of the last tenant, because there is no natural light. Expected ren...