Gurugram, Haryana. Gurugram, one of India’s fastest-growing industrial and corporate hubs, is witnessing a booming rental housing business catering to thousands of workers and professionals employed in various industries. However, serious concerns have emerged regarding the safety standards of many multi-storey rental buildings, despite landlords reportedly earning crores of rupees annually.

A ground investigation conducted by Pratham Media Network in the Khandsa Industrial Area and nearby localities revealed that several buildings accommodating hundreds of tenants lack even basic safety infrastructure, including fire-fighting equipment and emergency response facilities.

Over ₹1 Crore Annual Income from a Single Building

According to information gathered during the investigation, a residential building located in Sector-35, Khandsa, consists of more than 135 rooms. Each room is reportedly rented out for around ₹5,500 per month, while electricity charges are collected separately from tenants.

Based on rental income alone, the building is estimated to generate more than ₹1.07 crore annually. Residents and property owners claim that hundreds of similar buildings operate across the industrial belt, yet there appears to be no comprehensive official data regarding the scale of this rental business.

Additional Charges Increase Revenue

A building owner in Sector-74 stated that rental rates vary depending on room size and facilities, with ₹5,500 considered the minimum rate in many areas. Additional charges are reportedly imposed when more than two occupants share a room. Tenants are also charged approximately ₹15 per unit for electricity consumption.

Safety Arrangements Virtually Non-Existent

During the survey of nearly 25 residential buildings in the Khandsa Industrial Area, investigators found an alarming absence of fire extinguishers and other emergency safety equipment in most properties.

Experts warn that these five-to-seven-storey buildings house large numbers of workers and employees. In the event of a fire or any other emergency, the lack of safety measures could pose a serious risk to human life.

Questions Raised Over Regulatory Oversight

The findings have raised important questions about regulatory compliance and official monitoring. Critics ask how such buildings received operational approval if essential safety standards were not being followed.

Local residents believe that while the rental housing sector continues to generate significant profits for property owners, enforcement of safety regulations appears to be inadequate.

A Growing Concern

With landlords reportedly earning substantial revenue from rental properties, concerns are growing over whether tenant safety is receiving the attention it deserves. Observers argue that unless authorities conduct regular inspections and ensure compliance with safety norms, the risk of a major accident cannot be ruled out.

The key question remains: Are profit and expansion taking precedence over the safety and well-being of thousands of tenants living in Gurugram’s rapidly growing rental housing sector?