Bhumika Chauhan
In fast-growing metropolitan cities, the demand for affordable and reliable accommodation continues to rise, particularly among students and working professionals. Yet, the housing ecosystem often struggles with informality, inconsistent standards, and lack of accountability. Bunny Makhni, Founder of THE HABITAT MUMBAI, has spent over a decade addressing this challenge by building a structured, compliance-driven co-living model in an otherwise unorganised sector.
Coming from a business-oriented family, Bunny’s entrepreneurial journey was shaped by real-world experience rather than theory. His entry into the real estate and co-living space was not planned but born out of necessity. After facing significant financial setbacks in an earlier bakery and confectionery venture, he was forced to restart from scratch. With no capital to invest, he began working as a real estate agent, focusing on PG and rental housing—an area with visible demand but limited organisation.
A defining moment came when Bunny converted his own residence into a PG, moved out on rent, and accommodated 20 residents within a week. This experience validated the market need and revealed a deeper opportunity. Over the next few years, he built a niche in PG and rental consultancy, eventually leasing entire flats and operating them independently as managed accommodations. This marked the foundation of what would later evolve into THE HABITAT MUMBAI.
Established over 12 years ago, THE HABITAT MUMBAI gradually transitioned from a consultancy-led operation into a structured co-living enterprise. Today, the organisation manages 1,000+ beds with nearly 90% occupancy, operating across multiple locations in Mumbai. Built entirely through bootstrapping, the business has grown organically without external funding, relying on disciplined reinvestment, operational cash flows, and financial prudence.
THE HABITAT MUMBAI addresses a critical urban problem—the mismatch between rising demand for PG accommodation and the lack of professionally managed, compliant housing options. By leasing residential properties, furnishing them, and managing day-to-day operations with defined systems and house rules, the organisation ensures safety, comfort, and transparency for residents while offering responsible monetisation for property owners.
What differentiates the business is its balanced approach to space utilisation and sustainability. While layouts are optimised to keep rentals affordable, occupancy is managed carefully to maintain resident comfort and long-term operational stability. Bunny believes that unmanaged overcrowding may boost short-term revenue but erodes trust and longevity.
Entrepreneurship taught Bunny valuable lessons in patience, compliance, and system-building. Financial instability, regulatory ambiguity, and people management challenges reinforced the importance of documentation and discipline. These experiences shaped his belief that systems outlast individuals and that reputation compounds faster than capital.
Inspired by entrepreneurs who build cash-flow positive, process-driven businesses, Bunny continues to focus on sustainable scaling. The future roadmap includes deeper expansion across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai, followed by entry into other Maharashtra cities, supported by stronger internal systems and workflows.
Recognition from SiliconIndia Magazine, which featured THE HABITAT MUMBAI among the “10 Best Co-Living Space Startups – City Category (2023)”, reflects the organisation’s growing credibility. For Bunny Makhni, however, success is measured not by awards, but by consistent occupancy, resident trust, and operational discipline that sustains growth.
