Housing

It's a Mumbai-specific convention driven by the city's old rent control laws and high property values. Landlords ask for 6–10 months rent upfront as security (fully refundable). This is standard and non-negotiable for most properties. Bangalore (2–3 months) and Goa (1–2 months) are much more reasonable.

NoBroker saves you 1–2 months of brokerage fees and works well in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune for standard apartments. For premium or unique properties, and especially in Goa, a local broker or word-of-mouth network is still the most effective approach.

In Goa and coliving spaces, yes. In Bangalore and Mumbai, most apartments are unfurnished or semi-furnished. Furnished options exist but at a 30–50% premium. Many expats rent unfurnished and buy basic furniture from local markets or OLX (India's Craigslist) for very cheap.

Yes, foreigners with valid visas can rent residential property in India. You'll need your passport, visa copy, and sometimes a local reference. Some landlords prefer Indian tenants or corporate leases, but the market is generally open to foreigners in expat-friendly areas.