Rents in Guwahati remain high due to strong demand and rising costs. The growing population increases competition for housing, while landlords face higher expenses for electricity, water, and maintenance, worsened by inflation. Maintenance costs have also risen, and inflation adds to the burden, forcing landlords to raise rents to cover these costs
Guwahati, among other challenges, is grappling with escalating rental costs that have left tenants struggling to afford accommodation. Rising rents, which have surged in recent years, are becoming an increasingly burdensome issue, especially for those from lower and middle-income groups.
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In the past few years, Guwahati’s rental market has seen significant rent increases in various areas. Places like Ulubari, Ganeshguri, Beltola, Dispur, and Hatigaon, once considered affordable, have witnessed sharp rent hikes. A 2BHK apartment in prime locations, which once cost around ₹12,000-₹15,000 per month, is now being leased for ₹20,000-₹25,000, with some landlords demanding even higher rates for properties with minimal or additional payable amenities.
For bachelors, particularly those working in corporate, IT, government offices, or the education sector, the situation is even more challenging. Shared accommodations, once a popular option, now command rents that are often unaffordable for young professionals starting their careers. Small 1BHK flats and shared rooms, which were once available at ₹5,000-₹8,000, are now priced between ₹10,000-₹15,000.
For families, rising rents have become a significant strain on household budgets. Many have been forced to move farther from the city in search of affordable housing or compromise on the size and quality of their homes. Families who had previously rented comfortable 2BHK or 3BHK flats for ₹20,000-₹25,000 are now facing asking prices of ₹30,000 and above, leaving many parents, especially those with children, scrambling to find suitable accommodation.
Rita Baruah, a local tenant from Anil Nagar, told GPlus, “Increasing rent has left us frustrated. How are we supposed to manage our expenses if all housing services are expensive?”
Several factors contribute to the rapid increase in rents in Guwahati. One key driver is the city’s growing population, which has steadily increased in recent years, fueled by an influx of students, professionals, and migrants from other parts of Northeast India and beyond. Guwahati’s expanding economy, coupled with infrastructure projects like new flyovers, roads, and commercial developments, has made the city more attractive to investors and landlords. However, this has led to a situation where the demand for rental properties exceeds the supply.
Additionally, rising construction costs, inflation, and land prices have made new developments more expensive, which inevitably translates to higher rents. Landlords, trying to offset their own rising expenses, are now charging higher rents for their properties.
Deepak Singha, a property owner in Ghoramara, told GPlus, “As a property owner, I believe rents in Guwahati are often above ₹10,000 due to high demand for housing. As more people come to the city for work and education, the demand for rental homes has increased, especially in areas with good amenities and connectivity. This naturally drives up rent prices.”
Rents in Guwahati remain high due to strong demand and rising costs. The growing population increases competition for housing, while landlords face higher expenses for electricity, water, and maintenance, worsened by inflation. Maintenance costs have also risen, and inflation adds to the burden, forcing landlords to raise rents to cover these costs.
Many landlords also face issues with tenants. Ajit Chandra Das, a landlord in Anil Nagar, told GPlus, “Common issues with tenants include delayed rent payments, lack of communication about maintenance needs, and property damage.” This may be another reason some landlords choose to keep rents high, discouraging tenants with poor behaviour.
For many residents, this trend is creating a divide between the affluent and the working class. With high rental prices, many people are forced to either leave the city or live in overcrowded conditions, potentially decreasing their quality of life.
“Guwahati was always known for its affordable living costs, but now, the cost of living is becoming unaffordable for a large section of the population. What used to be a medium-sized house in a good locality is now an expensive proposition for most,” says Anil Kumar, a small business owner who has lived in the city for over a decade.
While the Assam government has focused on improving the city’s infrastructure and overall living conditions, there has been little regulation or intervention in the housing rental market. Rent control laws are urgently needed to prevent exploitative rental practices in Guwahati. Many also argue that without government oversight or affordable housing schemes, the rental situation will only worsen.
PK Sharma, a senior official from the Assam Real Estate and Infrastructure Developers’ Association (AREIDA), told GPlus, “The Tenancy Act 2021 is no longer valid. However, an affordable rental scheme has been announced by the government in 2024, which is similar to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for urban areas. PMAY-II, introduced in 2022, included housing and rental homes as part of the scheme. This new plan, still in the drafting phase, is being worked on by a technical committee. An amount of ₹1 lakh crore has been earmarked for urban areas, and new policies will be formulated to help regulate rental costs in the state.”
The introduction of rent control laws will aim to better plan urban development, focusing on affordable housing and increasing government-run housing schemes for the middle class. Without significant intervention, Guwahati’s rental market may continue to pose a challenge for both bachelors and families in the coming years.
