The ordeal of house-hunting
A wise old gentleman told me that house-hunting was a much more difficult task than job-hunting and even wife-hunting! Now when I’m looking for a suitable pad in Pune, I remember his prophetic words. Finding a home, even if it’s rented, is a tough exercise. And for a singleton like me, it’s almost impossible because nowadays many housing societies don’t allow unmarried men; they are regarded as a nuisance to the neighbours because their apartments are often frequented by their friends, especially girlfriends.
In many societies of Pune, landlords asked about my religion and caste. When they were told that I had no faith and caste, they slammed the door in my face. And even if you finally get a rented place in a far-flung area, the sword of Damocles will hang over your head because you are never sure whether the owner will renew your agreement after
11 months. And if he/she is kind enough to let you stay, rest assured, the rent will be doubled.
Even a studio apartment in a reasonably good locality will make a big hole in your pocket. I had to shell out Rs 18,000 for a room with an attached washroom. Moreover, many house owners will drop in anytime to check whether their tenants are following all the rules. A girlfriend has to be introduced as a sister, and if she looks diametrically opposite to you, she’s your 42nd cousin!
In any case, big cities have a dearth of islands of solitude where you can be cosy with your dreamboat. Parks are meant for hooligans and desperate lovers, who seem to be meeting for the last time, and restaurants are too expensive as well as monotonous. It’s not always money that matters when one is with his squeeze. It’s the ambience and privacy that one doesn’t get in restaurants. The ‘ever efficient’ police will harass lovers instead of nabbing the actual wrongdoers.
Your expenses will keep mounting if you manage to find a rented place for yourself. The society’s charges — maintenance, water, electricity and whatnot — are to be paid by tenants. House owners are just reaping the harvest. You just can’t say anything. Protest, and the next moment you will have to leave the place.
I wonder how hoary old tenants have been living in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai for several decades and their rent is hardly Rs 200-300 — at times, even Rs 30 or Rs 50 per month — despite having big and sprawling houses at their disposal. This is unjustified. A place like Pune, where getting a decent place on rent was not that difficult just 5-10 years ago, today offers virtually no place at all. I’m seriously looking for a dharamshala (charity home) where I can get a roof over my head.
