House Rent in Dhaka: A Growing Concern for City Dwellers
Dhaka, the vibrant capital of Bangladesh, is home to more than 22 million people and continues to expand every year. With rapid urbanization, job opportunities, and educational institutions concentrated in the city, the demand for housing — especially rental apartments — is increasing faster than ever. However, for most residents, managing house rent has become one of the biggest financial challenges of city life.
Rising Rent and Uneven Growth
In recent years, house rent in Dhaka has risen steadily across almost all neighborhoods. On average, rents have increased by 8–10% each year, depending on the area and facilities.
High-income zones such as Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, and Bashundhara R/A remain the most expensive. A standard three-bedroom flat in these areas can cost anywhere between ৳60,000 and ৳180,000 per month.
Middle-income neighborhoods like Uttara, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, and Banasree offer slightly more affordable options, with rents ranging from ৳25,000 to ৳50,000.
Suburban or lower-cost areas such as Jatrabari, Demra, and Keraniganj are still relatively cheaper, where families can find smaller apartments for ৳10,000 to ৳20,000 per month.
The widening rent gap between high- and low-income areas has deepened social inequality, making it increasingly difficult for average families to live close to their workplaces or schools.
Major Factors Behind Rising Rent
Several factors are driving the continuous increase in Dhaka’s house rent:
Overpopulation and Demand: Every year, thousands of new residents move to Dhaka for work or study, but the city’s housing supply cannot keep up.
Rising Construction Costs: The prices of cement, steel, tiles, and labor have increased sharply, leading landlords to charge higher rent.
Inflation and Utility Costs: With inflation affecting nearly every sector, landlords often adjust rent to match their rising expenses.
Urban Development: Areas with better roads, metro stations, or shopping centers experience faster rent hikes due to higher demand.
Lack of Regulation: Though there are rent control laws, they are rarely enforced effectively. As a result, rent adjustments depend mostly on market conditions and landlord decisions.
Struggles of Tenants
For many Dhaka residents, paying rent consumes a large share of monthly income — often 40% or more. Young professionals, students, and lower-middle-class families are hit the hardest.
Tenants also face several additional problems:
Advance payments: Landlords often demand two to three months’ rent in advance as a deposit.
Hidden costs: Maintenance charges, parking fees, and service bills frequently add to the total expense.
Annual rent hikes: Many landlords increase rent each year without negotiation, forcing tenants to move frequently.
The constant pressure of finding affordable accommodation and dealing with sudden rent changes has become a common source of stress for Dhaka’s urban population.
The Landlords’ View
On the other hand, landlords argue that they are not exploiting tenants but simply covering their own expenses. Property maintenance, staff salaries, taxes, and security systems all add up. Additionally, as property prices continue to rise, many landlords see rent as a way to maintain the value of their investment. In some cases, especially in newer buildings, modern facilities such as elevators, generators, and CCTV systems justify the higher rent.
Government Role and Future Outlook
The Bangladesh government has recognized housing affordability as a growing issue. Although several housing projects, like those in Purbachal and Jhilmil, aim to provide affordable apartments, their impact on Dhaka’s rental market is still limited. Experts suggest that stronger rent control mechanisms, affordable housing schemes, and public transportation improvements could help balance the situation.
Technology has also begun to reshape the rental market. Online property platforms like Bproperty, ToLet, and Bikroy now allow people to browse apartments, compare prices, and contact landlords directly. This increased transparency may help tenants make better decisions and negotiate more fairly.
Conclusion
The issue of house rent in Dhaka reflects the city’s broader struggle with overpopulation and inequality. While the demand for better housing continues to rise, affordability remains a serious concern. To ensure sustainable and inclusive urban living, the government, private sector, and citizens must work together to make housing fair, affordable, and accessible for everyone.