Convince Your Landlord to Go Zero Deposit—Here’s How

Moving into a new rental flat comes with enough stress already. Finding the right place, packing up your life, adjusting to a new neighbourhood… and then, just when you think you're done, you're hit with the deposit demand.

Whether it’s a 1BHK for ₹15,000 or a 3BHK for ₹45,000, most landlords ask for two to three months' rent upfront as a security deposit. That’s anywhere from ₹30,000 to ₹1.5 lakh—locked away, just sitting there for the length of your lease. For a lot of renters, it’s a real financial strain.

But here’s the good news: times are changing. You don’t always have to cough up a massive deposit to get a good rental anymore. There are new ways of renting that are deposit-free, and more tenants (and landlords) are starting to take them seriously.

Why More People Are Saying No to Deposits

It’s not just about the money—it’s about what that money could be doing for you. A big deposit can feel like you're throwing your savings into a black hole, especially when there’s no guarantee you’ll get it all back.

Here’s why renters are starting to push back:

• They’d rather keep that money liquid—in the bank, earning interest, or available for emergencies

• No more back-and-forth during move-out over “damages” and deductions

• Moving becomes faster and less stressful without scrambling for funds

• Some platforms even let you pay rent in monthly EMIs, which makes budgeting easier

In short, it’s just more flexible. And in 2025, flexibility matters.

How Zero Deposit Renting Actually Works

So how does this deposit-free renting thing work? It's not about skipping out on the landlord’s money. It’s about getting someone else—usually a third-party platform—to handle it upfront, so you don’t have to.

Here’s the general idea:

• You pick a flat—any flat, from any source. Doesn’t matter if it’s from a broker, a website, or a WhatsApp group.

• You share the flat and landlord’s details with a platform that supports zero deposit renting.

• They verify everything, talk to your landlord, and handle the agreement.

• They pay the rent and deposit directly to your landlord.

• You repay the platform in easy monthly installments instead of a big lump sum.

CirclePe is one of the platforms offering this kind of service—it’s become popular in places like Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, and Gurgaon. But it’s not the only one. The point is, you have options now. Real ones.

How to Talk to Your Landlord About It

If you’re planning to go this route, you’ll probably need to explain it to your landlord. Some of them are open to it. Others need a little reassurance.

Here’s how to make that conversation easier:

Step 1: Know the Basics

Before pitching the idea, make sure you understand it yourself. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be able to explain that:

• They’ll still get their full rent and deposit upfront

• A verified company handles the legal stuff, not the tenant

• There’s no extra work for them—no forms, no apps, nothing complicated

Step 2: Focus on What They Gain

Landlords don’t care much about your EMI plans—they care about security and simplicity. So highlight that:

• They get paid on time, in full

• They don’t have to deal with refund requests at the end

• They work with a professional team, not just a renter

• It’s just a cleaner, more modern way to rent

Step 3: Offer a Follow-Up

Still sensing hesitation? Suggest a quick call with the platform team. Many of these services (like CirclePe) offer direct support to landlords and will explain how it all works.

Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to clear the air.

What If They Still Say No?

Not every landlord will be open to new ideas right away. That’s okay. If it’s a firm no, you still have a few options:

• Suggest a middle ground—maybe a smaller deposit instead of none at all

• Ask them to try it for just one lease cycle and see how it goes

• Or look for listings where landlords already accept zero deposit rentals

Some platforms have entire sections of verified, deposit-free flats—so you won’t have to do any convincing at all.

Why This Might Just Be the Future of Renting

Look, the traditional deposit system made sense once—but now, it feels outdated. Especially when:

• Rents are already high

• Interest rates on savings matter more than ever

• Disputes over refunds have become too common

• And digital tools can make the whole thing smoother for everyone

We’re not talking about a loophole here. This isn’t some workaround. It’s a smarter way to rent—backed by real companies, real agreements, and real demand from people who are tired of the old system.

Final Thoughts

You’re already paying rent every month. Having to pay a huge deposit on top of that? It’s time we asked why. More tenants are starting to explore alternatives—and landlords are warming up to them too. Whether you use CirclePe or another platform, or even just negotiate a lower deposit yourself, the key is knowing that you have choices now. Renting doesn’t have to mean parting with your hard-earned savings. Not anymore.