The demand for houses on rent has touched a high in Srirangam as members of various parties from different parts of the State are flocking the town for electioneering for the Srirangam by-poll to be held on February 13.
Although it is just a seasonal phenomenon, landlords, who have rented out their houses, flats, and vacant sites for one month, have pocketed rent equalling six to eight months.
There is hardly any house available for rent in Srirangam, Thiruvanaikoil, Periyar Nagar and Check Post at present. Though the situation is different in the rural areas that come under the Srirangam constituency, rent rate has risen by four to five times. With just two weeks left for the poll, the search for houses has intensified.
“Since the date for the by-election was announced, we became extremely busy in finding rental houses. We receive 20 to 30 calls more than what we receive on an average a day. The party men do not mind paying hefty sums as rent,” says a house broker in Veereswaram.
Lack of hotels in Srirangam is said to be the main reason for party men searching for houses. However, he said while senior leaders, including Ministers and former Ministers preferred to stay in some leading hotels in Tiruchi, lower and upcoming leaders were staying in rented houses.
Some of them have been rented out only for cooking for those engaged in electioneering.
As far as renting houses for party men, it is said that landlord did not insist on cautionary deposit or agreement as they were convinced that they will vacate their houses soon after the polling is over.
The impact is being felt in Central Bus Stand area of Tiruchi too. The party men, who have been allocated by their respective campaign committee to “look after” Manikandam and Ramji Nagar areas of Srirangam constituency, outskirts of Tiruchi, prefer to stay in hotels.
Some budget hotels have been booked for two weeks. Similarly, restaurants and eateries do brisk business for the last one week.
