Navigating the Housing Market: Challenges for Young Women in Mumbai

Young women students and professionals face significant challenges in finding affordable and safe accommodation in Mumbai, a city known for its expensive real estate and stringent housing market.

Housing MarketYoung WomenMumbaiAffordable AccommodationPg AccommodationReal Estate NewsMay 18, 2025

Navigating the Housing Market: Challenges for Young Women in Mumbai

Real Estate News:MUMBAI: For young women students and professionals who move to Mumbai from other cities to pursue their studies or kickstart their careers, the city presents a mix of excitement and challenges. One of the most daunting tasks they face is finding suitable accommodation in a megacity with some of the most expensive real estate in the world. The journey of settling into a new city is fraught with the absence of home-cooked meals, the comforting presence of parents, and the need to manage finances, personal security, and household affairs independently. However, the single biggest hurdle is securing a place to live. The brutal housing market in Mumbai, often referred to as the city of dreams, is turning into a nightmare for many. The city is currently undergoing a massive wave of redevelopment projects, which has significantly increased the demand for rental homes. This surge in demand, coupled with the displacement of local residents, has led to a shrinking rental stock. Consequently, rents are soaring by up to 25-30% in some areas, leaving both students and young professionals at the mercy of a distorted market. Many times, the financial burden of rent is shouldered by the parents of these young tenants. For women from other cities, finding a house in Mumbai is not just about affordability but also about navigating a system that sometimes disregards their lived realities. They are often forced to compromise on comfort and autonomy. The experience is often marred by moral policing, discriminatory housing practices, and a lack of privacy, especially in paying guest (PG) accommodation. The dream of new independence is often tethered to shared bathrooms, curfew hours, and monthly costs that rival starting salaries. Sakshi Bajaj, a 20-year-old student at St Xavier’s College, paid Rs 60,000 per month for a double-occupancy PG room in Kalbadevi after moving from Lucknow. Despite the steep rent, she had to deal with pest infestations, strict curfews, and 15 girls sharing common washrooms. “I browsed 8-10 PGs before choosing that one—most were smaller and even more expensive,” she says. Sakshi has since moved to a spacious 3BHK in Parel, where her share of rent is Rs 37,500. “It’s large, with attached bathrooms, gym and pool facilities, a cook, a maid, and 24/7 security. And still, my total cost is under Rs 60,000. The difference in quality is vast,” she adds. Another St Xavier’s College student, 21-year-old Adyashree Upadhyay, also from Lucknow, had a similar experience. When she first moved into her 900-square-foot rental flat in Girgaum Chowpatty, it was far from ready. “My father had to come and get the place painted, install lights, fans, and everything, just to make it livable,” she recalls. Now living alone, Adyashree pays a modest Rs 31,000 a month as rent, thanks to her father’s contacts. Even for those willing to pay premium rents, the trade-offs can be significant. Veronica, a 21-year-old native of Delhi, lives in a PG near Marine Lines where Rs 35,000 fetches her a small double-sharing room with no attached washroom. “The only thing going for it is that it’s a five-minute walk to college,” she says. For many women, PGs are not just costly but also stifling. Curfews, constant scrutiny, and shared facilities reduce autonomy and affect mental well-being, especially since they are living away from family for the first time. Renting an independent flat may offer more freedom, but finding one is no cakewalk. Landlords frequently turn away single women, citing “no bachelor girls allowed” as a rule. Even if the landlord is agreeable, housing societies sometimes override the decision, demanding character references, personal interviews, and assurances of a “quiet lifestyle.” “Women are probed about their personal lives, including whether they have male friends or partners, what time they return home, and their marriage plans,” says one tenant. In Santacruz East, a student from NMIMS Nagpur shares a 400-square-foot flat with two others. They pay Rs 20,000 each, with utilities pushing costs higher. “It’s functional, but not ideal. Finding something affordable that doesn’t feel unsafe or suffocating is quite a task,” she says. Landlords tend to limit the number of visitors, disallow cooking non-vegetarian food, or demand parental approval. Yet a few women manage to strike good deals. Sahal Masood, a 28-year-old stock exchange freelancer from Saharanpur who studied at Mithibai College, shares a semi-furnished 3BHK in Juhu with three flatmates and pays just Rs 12,500 a month. “We got lucky. The flat has all basic appliances and 24/7 security. Our extra costs come to about Rs 4,000 per month. Given the area and condition, it’s a great deal,” she says. Masood contacted nearly eight estate agents before finding this golden deal. However, these are exceptional cases. Even in upscale neighborhoods like Malabar Hill, quality doesn’t always align with cost. A student pays Rs 20,000 per head in a cramped 500-square-foot flat with three others. She reports deteriorating infrastructure and zero amenities. “The only thing justifying the rent is the location,” she notes. Landlords and brokers define the rent pricing spectrum by location, furnishing, and sea views. Ronnie Vaz, a broker operating in Bandra-Khar, says that a sea-facing 1BHK can go for Rs 70,000, a 2BHK for Rs 1 lakh, and a 3BHK for Rs 1.5 lakh. With limited housing stock and high redevelopment activity, renters are left with few choices. In South Mumbai, broker Narendra V says demand for PGs never dips, especially among young women who come here to study or work. “Students, doctors, lawyers—so many women come here looking for opportunities, and the demand keeps growing,” he says. “Safety is a concern, but in Mumbai, agreements are always registered, and renting involves a lot of paperwork and background checks. Landlords are cautious, and only after thorough verification is a flat handed over. That makes our city safer for women than many others.” Across the city, several PGs and hostels offer women either an individual bed and cupboard with common bathrooms and a kitchen, or individual or twin/triple sharing facilities. A vast old hostel named Shram Sadhana in Bandra East is a 10-storey structure that was established in 1978 by the family of former President Pratibha Patil. “We accommodate 550 students and working girls,” says Dnyaneshwar Patil, who manages the center. In Old Mhada, Andheri West, Aditi Saksham runs four or five different PG facilities and is mindful to stick to the rule book at all times. “I insist on meeting the girls' parents and seek their Aadhar cards too. Earlier, I have actually had girls sharing their boyfriend's number as that of their father for verification,” she says. Near the Opera House, Kamlesh Jain has been running 'Jain PG' for 12 years where the rent is Rs 18,000 per person. “The girls live like our daughters. Out-of-towners basically seek 'ghar ka khaana' (home food) and a benevolent landlord who will guide them like a family elder. In a large hostel with 100-150 inmates, nobody knows if you have eaten food or not. Whereas I have 5-7 inmates who call my wife even if they see a cockroach,” says Jain with a laugh. And in Worli, the Shirinbai Mody hostel houses Parsi women from as far as Gujarat, Kolkata, and Madhya Pradesh in its comforting environs. Filly Bapuna, who funded its grand renovation along with other community members, ensures a safe and welcoming environment for the residents. Anuradha Patil, chairperson of the Lady Willingdon Hostel in Fort, makes a case for hostels over PGs. She says, “Hostels are an economical and safe option as nearly all of them are managed by the government or NGOs. Information is available on their websites, enabling one to select a reliable option by location. Women prefer to live near commercial centers or railway stations. Moreover, hostels charge reasonable fees, provide nutritious food prepared in-house, and offer 24-hour security. Hostelites are expected to abide by the rules, but can always return to a clean room thanks to the housekeeping staff. Not all PG places have a separate entrance and cooking facilities. Unlike PGs, hostels often allow women to meet friends or relatives of either gender in the common lounge. No one is allowed to enter their rooms. Most hostels have relaxed timings for the girls as today, all of them work long hours. Also, safety is guaranteed as they have to sign in and sign out every time.” Pavana Anchees, president of YWCA Bombay, which runs four hostels in Colaba, Byculla, Andheri, and Belapur housing 300 residents, says, “Our organization is well known for its hostels, which are fondly referred to as 'home away from home' by students, working women, and job seekers. We charge affordable fees ranging from Rs 750 to Rs 15,000, depending on the location and salaries of residents, and offer well-maintained rooms, security, and sumptuous meals.”