PLURAL

“Make Renting in Mumbai Affordable Again” — featured in the Mumbai Mirror — explores how Mumbai’s rental market needs a serious rethink to meet the aspirations of a mobile, younger workforce. Authored by Oormi Kapadia and Jasmine Saluja, the piece highlights practical strategies to shift from a homeownership-dominated approach to one that supports secure, affordable renting for all.

The article sheds light on the growing rental demand among youth, the limitations of current housing finance models, and why Mumbai needs innovative solutions like co-living, rent management policies, and new financial mechanisms to make renting truly affordable again.
This is part of our broader research titled Renting Realities in Mumbai, which not only aims to document but also actively shape the narrative around rental housing in India.

🔗 Explore the project: www.rentingrealities.com
📺 Watch our ongoing work unfold on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ds8JxsvQ

Plural pays tribute to Shirish Patel, honoring a decade-long journey shaped by his wisdom and unwavering belief in equitable cities. Mr. Patel often reminded that “equity is not about giving everyone the same thing, but about ensuring people have what they need to thrive.” His ability to balance technical clarity with social responsibility left a lasting imprint. As Plural continues its work, his thoughts will remain a guiding force.

Read more: https://scroll.in/article/1079940/shirish-patel-an-eternal-optimist-with-an-unwavering-commitment-to-equitable-cities

Affordable for whom? ⁉️

I pay ₹48,000 for a 450 sq.ft. 1BHK in Andheri East—that’s ₹80-85 per sq.ft. Meanwhile, my domestic help rents a room in an informal settlement nearby for just ₹15 per sq.ft.

When the market fails to provide dignified, affordable rentals, people are forced to self-build in desperation. Yet, the same workers who keep the city running—cooks, drivers, security guards, delivery agents—are pushed to the margins.

Mixed-income housing isn’t just fair—it’s efficient and economical for everyone. After all, the city runs on their labor.

💬 Know the rental disparity in your locality! Drop a comment with:
1️⃣ Your locality
2️⃣ Your rent per sq.ft.
3️⃣ Your domestic worker’s locality
4️⃣ Their rent per sq.ft.

Let’s document the gap together!

Presentations on Status of Rental Housing with identified gaps and possible bridges:

The presentation to the stakeholders highlighted the current statistics and demographics around renting and led to deliberations on the condition of housing, unsold inventory, affordability conundrum and financial mechanisms.Exclusions from the housing supply chain that has led to informal renting options in compromised living conditions were discussed along with lessons of flexible living formats from the informal housing market.

Global and local case studies of successful models and the scope of rental housing in providing Housing for All in India were presented in great detail. National and State level contributions to support construction of new rental housing to meet the change in demand of housing were explored as future models.

To further our research on renting realities in the Mumbai Metropolitan region, Plural conducted a closed roundtable discussion in Mumbai with experts from policy, finance, legal and real estate.

During this discussion, the team deliberated on bottlenecks and existing gaps within the industry and discussed implementable solutions on varied aspects of rental housing. Different viewpoints helped to create a multi-pronged approach to the issue.

There is demand for a new form of housing type which can address the shelter needs of the mobile working youth population. Scaling up of the co-living start-up models perhaps can benefit from institutional support to address new age living in the city.

Our research RENTING REALITIES IN MUMBAI is exploring new housing types for the changing demographic demand.

The search for a home in the city is a non-linear process. Can your landlord evict you before the lease period is over? Who will pay for the repair of broken appliances in a rented apartment? How do you ensure you will get your security deposit back on time? These are some of the leading questions that plague first time renters and landlords due to a lack of awareness.

Our research RENTING REALITIES IN MUMBAI identified such communication gaps that make renting a non-convenient process and is gearing up towards solutions.

The choice of whether to stay closer to his place of work and pay high rent or commute long hours and afford a better quality of living outside city limits is the question that plagues most working professionals in Mumbai.

Our research RENTING REALITIES IN MUMBAI is identifying many such situations where quality of living is questioned.

Is Housing for All a myth ?

While most of the city is under ‘redevelopment’ generating quantifiable housing stock, the lower socio-economic group continues to search for a home in slums. Most migrants in the city live in informal arrangements devoid of housing security and sanitation. Can rental housing perhaps then be an initial step towards formal affordable housing?

Our research RENTING REALITIES IN MUMBAI aims to explore such gaps in the policies and development regulations.

Affordability Conundrum in Mumbai:

A median-income household (35k per month) in Mumbai cannot afford to buy a simple 1 BHK within the boundaries of Greater Mumbai. The EMI for 20 years for such a flat at the current interest rate ranges from 113% of their monthly income in Thane to 540% in Bandra!

Our research RENTING REALITIES IN MUMBAI is gearing up for many such conversations with stakeholders from diverse fields.