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Finding a place to stay in Mumbai

Created: 28th February, 2006- Sunil Dias (sdias@kpmg.com)

Modified: 03rd April 2006 Vikrant Patwardhan

(vpatwardhan@kpmg.com)

Disclaimer: The information provided here is true to the best of my knowledge on the

creation/revision date mentioned at the top of the document. Prices quoted are for a

two bedroom furnished apartment. Property prices in Mumbai have been climbing in

these past few months in a madcap race with the Sensex. Please note that

qualitative observations about a place (like Bandra has good nightlife) could vary

widely across individuals, so it would help to talk to lots of people and also have a

peek yourself.

For a newbie professional in Mumbai, finding a place to stay can be a daunting task.

This brief document aims to answer the most basic questions.

What are the options available?

Besides the obvious renting out a place option, staying as a paying guest is also

something that should be considered. There are plenty of paying guest

accommodations available which are significantly cheaper than a rented

accommodation. If you are unmarried and OK with living alone, having lowered

levels of privacy and possible restriction on timings, these are ideal. However, in PG

accommodation, one might want to also ensure that one has independent access (a

separate door), an independent kitchenette and an independent bathroom / toilet

set.

What is a package?

Rents in Mumbai are quoted as a package.

Package = Rent per month + (Deposit/100)

The deposit is meant to be a security deposit (though many of the landlords use it as

a way to get a bundle of cash for their investments) A similar package could mean

widely varying deposits and monthly rents.

For e.g. A package of Rs. 30,000 could translate into monthly rent of Rs. 29,000 and a

deposit of Rs. 1,00,000 OR it could translate into monthly rent of Rs. 25,000 and a

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deposit of Rs. 5,00,000.

If you are not the investing type, have reasonable faith in the landlord and have a

bundle of cash in your bank account, or have a job where the company is willing to

foot the deposit part of the package, the higher deposit-lower monthly rent package

is the one to go for.

What is the comparison between the different areas?

Parel: Parel was formerly a functioning mill area and most of the residential units

here were the slums and chawls of the mill workers. Some slums/chawls have given

way to high rises. However, many of the slum dwellers are rehabilitated in these

high-rises so the quality of people and the level of hygiene is definitely not top-class.

Additionally, some of the high rises are dominated by staunch Gujaratis, so you might

not get a place if you are a non-vegetarian. Rents are reasonable at packages

ranging from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000.

Prabhadevi/Dadar West: Centrally located, so good. The high rises in Prabhadevi

come at a package of around Rs. 30,000 upwards while Dadar West would be around

Rs. 25,000.

Bandra: If you are a pub-hopping/night life/shopping addict kind of guy, this is the

place to be. Packages range from Rs. 28,000 upwards. There are quite a few paying

guest accommodations available.

Mahim: Advantages of this place are its proximity to Bandra and our office, while

being cheaper. Packages are Rs. 25,000 odd.

Worli: It costs about the same living here as in Bandra but does not offer as exciting

a night life as Bandra.

Chembur: A bit far off (should involve around 2 hours of travel time daily), but rents

are lower and if you are the outdoor exercise type, there are some decent

gymkhanas with swimming pools etc. Packages start at Rs. 18,000 odd.

Wadala: A developing place with some nice flats coming up. Packages start at Rs.

19,000 odd.

Vikhroli:Though far of, its very cheap. Godrej apparently also rents out apartments.

The quality of people and hygiene is pretty good. It is also one of the few places leftin Mumbai, with a decent amount of greenery. Packages start as low as Rs. 12,000.

We havent seriously looked further South, so our information on those areas is at

best sketchy.

Who are the brokers?

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While talking to a broker, do be very specific else you might spend a load of time

looking at places you arent remotely interested in. For e.g. I want a _ BHK, _

furnished in _, _ and _ area, in a package of _ of which I will be willing to pay a deposit

of _ , etc.

Brokerage is charged equal to one months package.

A list of some of the brokers I contacted during my search.

Mrs. Multani (9833101088): The best of the lot. This elderly lady has a lot of good

houses to show. She is seemingly more honest than some of the others and

generally shows you places suited to your requirements. Areas of expertise- Dadar,

Prabhadevi, Mahim and Worli.

Vedprakash (9869015888): Has some good places to show in Chembur. However,

shows you a lot of irrelevant places. State your budget to him at a minimum 10%

discount.

Ehtesham (9820107383):This guy mainly has places in Bandra and Mahim. He has

some good places to show but quotes higher rents and is inflexible in changing them,

probably to ensure his extra commission. You would also need to follow-up quite a bit

with him to show you places and shuts shop by 8 p.m.

Farid (9821336228): Has some places in Bandra and Mahim

Mamta (022-24930502): Will not show you places in exact consonance with your

requirements, but fights hard with the landlord to get you a good bargain.

Patil (9819059984): Flunky to Mamta.

Hussain (9892448821):The guy has some places in Bandra and Mahim

Ranjit (9322398453): Good for Worli.

Roshan (9820484465) / Satya (9820690994): For Mahim, Matunga, Wadala.

Jethe (022-24146183): For Parel

Jiten Merchant: 9892220383

Ketan Shah: (9821066337) Part of a solid broker cartel. Through contacts, can source

a place anywhere in Mumbai.

Kishore (9820455949): Good, professional. Operates chiefly around Worli area.

What about furnishings?

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Though most of the places have a basic level of furnishing, do push the guy for a

completely furnished place. In case you are new to setting up a house; this includes

beds with mattresses, air conditioners, fridge, TV, washing machine, aquaguard, sofa,

centre or dining table and some chairs. Try pushing the landlord for smaller things

like curtains etc. which could add up to quite a lot if you bought them yourself.

However, in case you do choose an unfurnished house, most of the basic stuff is

available on lease.