Rising rental costs push Noida’s residents to the brink

Noida: Gautam Budh Nagar, a destination for millions seeking jobs and education, is witnessing an unprecedented rise in rental costs, making accommodation increasingly unaffordable. Noida, Greater Noida, and Noida Extension, once considered budget-friendly alternatives, have seen sharp rent hikes, bringing them on par with Gurgaon and Delhi. What was once a haven for affordable housing is now pushing middle-class families and young professionals to the financial brink.

As per tenants, renting a 3BHK apartment in Noida Sector 15, 15 A, 16, 16 A, 19, 20, 75, 76, 78, Greater Noida Sector 1, Noida extension, and some other localities, now cost between Rs 35,000 and Rs 45,000— comparable to the rates in Gurgaon and Delhi.

However, real estate experts and resident organisation leaders have criticised the inflated rents, accusing builders of “extorting money” from residents under the guise of maintenance charges. They claim this unprecedented surge is driven by high demand, rising property values, and arbitrary maintenance fees imposed by gated societies.

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Tenants struggle with escalating rents and poor services

Rajesh Mehta, an IT professional residing in Amrapali Princely Estate, Sector 78, Noida, said,

“When I moved to Noida five years ago, it was supposed to be an affordable alternative to Delhi. But now, the rent for a decent 3BHK in a gated society has gone up to Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000, and on top of that, the maintenance charges are a whopping Rs 5,000. My salary hasn’t increased at the same rate, and after paying rent, electricity bills, and school fees for my children, I barely have anything left for savings.”

Poonam Sharma, an employee of iEnergizer residing in Supertech Ecovillage 1, Noida Extension, shared her frustration: “I shifted to Noida because the rental cost was cheaper and my office was nearby. I live in a 2BHK apartment, which costs me nearly Rs 18,000 per month, excluding electricity charges. Despite paying a high maintenance fee, the cleanliness is very poor. Dogs roam freely in the lobby. The maintenance charges start at Rs 2.5 per square foot, meaning I pay nearly Rs 2,600 per month just for maintenance! And yet, the lifts are always breaking down, security is lax, and garbage collection is irregular.”

She added, “Connectivity is also an issue. I have to take two shared autos just to reach the nearest metro station—Noida Sector 52. I am planning to shift back to Delhi, and I think many who moved here from the Capital feel the same way.”

Sunil Kumar, an employee of a private company earning Rs 50,000 monthly, lives in La Residentia, Noida Extension. He noted, “Post-COVID, rents have skyrocketed. In 2021, 2BHK homes were available for Rs 10,000 per month in Noida Sector 7, 52, 62, Greater Noida Sector 16, and Noida extension 16 A & B and, some other areas but now the same accommodation costs nearly Rs 18,000. Despite this increase, there are no proper facilities, not even a clubhouse.”

“The water supply is irregular. Residents have staged multiple protests, but the authorities have taken no action,” he said. “Security is also a concern, as there is a shortage of guards. The society charges exorbitant amounts for Diesel Generator (DG) backup during power cuts—I pay more than Rs 20 per unit for DG electricity, which is unreasonable. How are people earning Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 supposed to survive with such increasing costs?”

Imran Khan, a resident of Noida Sector 19, who works in the BPO sector, shared his struggle: “I earn Rs 22,000 per month and live in a 1BHK in Sector 19, near my office. But I have to pay Rs 15,000 per month as rent, which puts unbearable pressure on me. Forget about saving—I can’t even send money to my parents in my hometown.”

Jaideep Thakur, a resident of Gaur Saundaryam, Gaur Chowk, Noida Extension, added, “Every month, we pay Rs 40,000 in rent for a 3BHK, and maintenance costs Rs 8,000—excluding electricity charges. My salary is Rs 1 lakh, and for families like ours, who depend on a single income, it is a struggle. With rent, school fees, groceries, and medical expenses, where do we cut costs? We are being squeezed from all sides, and it’s frustrating that no one is listening to us.”

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What the experts say

PS Jain, president of Noida Citizen Forum (NCF), said, “Rents in Noida have skyrocketed as demand for rental accommodation has surged over the past five years.”

“People are coming to the city from across the country for jobs and education. This is the main reason for the rising rental costs. In addition, builders are imposing arbitrary charges on flat owners, such as club fees and parking fees, which directly impact rents,” Jain said.

“Moreover, builders are also charging excessive electricity fees, further burdening residents. Most societies in Noida have prepaid electricity meters, allowing builders to issue inflated bills. The government should introduce regulations to protect tenants from being exploited by builders and flat owners,” he added.

Ranjan Tomar, founder and president of Noida Village Resident Association (NOVRA), pointed out that builders charge residents for multiple facilities without justification, driving up rents citywide

“Builders collect maintenance charges for security, water supply, and basic amenities, but it has become a profit-driven business. There’s no transparency in how the funds are used. They should disclose actual maintenance costs and distribute them fairly among all flats. Instead, they charge residents based on a per-square meter rate, which unfairly increases costs for larger flats, regardless of actual usage. This lack of accountability leaves residents paying exorbitant fees without seeing significant improvements in services. This is why rents in Noida, Greater Noida, and Noida Extension keep rising,” Tomar added.