Gauri Khan Signs Three-Year Lease for Staff Apartment in Khar West at ₹1.35 Lakh Monthly

Gauri Khan, a well-known interior designer and the wife of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has recently rented a 2BHK apartment in Mumbai’s Khar West area for her staff. The rental agreement, signed on a leave and license basis, is set for a duration of three years, starting with a monthly rent of ₹1.35 lakh. This arrangement, revealed through documents accessed from Zapkey, marks a significant transaction in Mumbai’s residential rental market, particularly in upscale neighbourhoods like Khar West and Pali Hill.

The apartment is situated in the Pali Hill Pankaj Premises Cooperative Society Ltd, a residential society that is popular for its prime location and accessibility. The apartment itself spans a carpet area of 725 square feet and includes a hall, kitchen, two bedrooms, and two washrooms, designed to accommodate the residential needs of the staff. The lease allows for exclusive residential use, starting from April 10, 2025, and continuing until April 9, 2028. 

Along with the rent, a security deposit of ₹4.05 lakh was paid, and the lease agreement was registered on May 14, 2025. The contract includes an escalation clause which increases the rent by 5% every year, a common practice in Mumbai’s rental agreements to adjust for inflation and market conditions. Accordingly, the rent will rise to ₹1.41 lakh per month from April 10, 2026, and then to ₹1.48 lakh per month from April 10, 2027.

Khar West is a sought-after residential area within Mumbai, known for its combination of convenience and calmness away from the city’s hustle. It is also a preferred locality among celebrities and affluent families, owing to its proximity to commercial centres and quality living environments. The decision by Gauri Khan to rent an apartment for her staff in this area reflects the growing trend among high-profile residents to ensure that their domestic help has comfortable and safe living arrangements close to their primary residences. This not only provides convenience but also strengthens the support system for managing households that are often large and complex.

In parallel with the apartment rental for her staff, Shah Rukh Khan himself has moved temporarily to a nearby location in Pali Hill, Khar West. Due to renovation work on his iconic Bandra residence, Mannat, the actor has taken two luxury duplex apartments in the Puja Casa building on rent. These duplexes span approximately 10,500 square feet combined and will serve as his family’s home for the next three years. 

This temporary residence is significantly smaller than Mannat, which measures 27,000 square feet, but still offers ample space and luxury. The monthly rent for these duplexes totals around ₹24.15 lakh, with one duplex rented from actor Jacky Bhagnani and his sister Deepshikha Deshmukh at ₹11.54 lakh per month, and the other from film producer Vashu Bhagnani at ₹12.61 lakh per month. Both leases were registered in February 2025.

The renovation of Mannat, Shah Rukh Khan’s renowned bungalow in Bandra, is a significant project given the property’s size and stature. During this period, relocating to the Pali Hill duplexes allows the family to remain close to their original neighbourhood and maintain a high standard of living. It also demonstrates a preference among Mumbai’s elite to rent luxury properties temporarily rather than relocate to distant or less familiar areas during such renovations.

These rental deals shed light on certain patterns emerging within Mumbai’s luxury real estate market. First, there is a clear emphasis on securing quality accommodation for household staff near the employer’s residence. This trend is becoming more common as celebrity households and affluent families seek to offer their domestic workers comfortable living conditions, ensuring convenience and safety. Second, the rental of large, luxury apartments as temporary homes during major renovations is a popular choice among Mumbai’s high-profile residents. This approach minimizes disruption to their lifestyle while the renovation work is carried out.

Furthermore, the lease agreements in both cases include annual rent escalation clauses, a standard feature in Mumbai’s property market to align rents with inflation and changing market dynamics. This helps landlords protect their income over multi-year contracts while providing tenants with predictable increments.

The choice of Khar West and Pali Hill also reflects the ongoing appeal of Mumbai’s western suburbs as prime residential locations. These areas offer a blend of urban convenience, access to major business hubs, and relatively quieter environments. For celebrities and business elites, living in these neighbourhoods allows easy access to work and social commitments while providing a degree of privacy.