15 Practical Rental Business Ideas in India with High ROI

While many rental business ideas sound great in theory, only a few are truly practical and profitable. The key is understanding investment, demand, and margins before jumping in. 

Many rental business ideas in India can be launched with minimal investment, and once you build a customer base, the profits can be impressive. 

This blog focuses on rental business ideas in India that have strong market potential 

Most profitable rental business ideas 

We’ll break down the initial investment, expected profit margins, and the kind of customers you’ll be serving.

Drone Rental for Events & Photography 

Drones are now an essential tool for photographers, event managers, and even real estate companies. Once you have a few quality drones in your stock, you can begin renting them on a project or daily basis. Add a premium for insurance and drone pilots, and you’ll recover your investment in no time. 

Investment: ₹3-10 lakh (depending on the models of drones) 

Market: Weddings, travel vlogging, real estate, and agricultural sector have high demand 

Profit Margin: 40-60% for every rent 

Student Hostel Furniture & Mattress Rental

Students who are coming to a new city for study or work want to rent beds, study tables, and mattresses rather than purchase them. Since in other rental businesses you are faced with a lot of pick-ups and drop-offs, the students retain the furniture for years or months. Moreover, you can provide package deals (bed + study table + chair) for more income. 

Investment: ₹2-5 lakh (varies based on quality and amount of furniture) 

Market: PG rentals, student hostels, and shared living accommodations in urban cities 

Profit Margin: 30-50% on each item per month 

Laptop & Desktop Rental Business

Companies rent laptops in bulk to employees, and students take them on rental for semester examinations and online learning. Begin small with a handful of mid-grade laptops, and as the demand increases, add high-end units such as gaming laptops or MacBooks for top-end rentals. Regular maintenance lets you rent out the same device several times, making it a lucrative long-term venture. 

Investment: ₹5-15 lakh (depending on models of laptops and quantity of stocks) 

Market: Companies, remote staff, students, and gaming functions 

Profit Margin: 40-70%  

Medical Equipment Rentals 

Most families find it more convenient to rent medical equipment such as wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, and hospital beds rather than purchase them. This is particularly helpful for home-recovering patients. Hospitals and clinics also rent equipment in order not to make huge initial investments. Such a business is viable for cities and towns with a high concentration of elderly people or medical tourism. 

Investment: ₹3–10 lakh (for basic medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, and CPAP machines). 

Market: Post-surgery recovery patients, elderly patients, hospitals, and home healthcare services. 

Profit Margin: 30–50% 

Commercial Kitchen Equipment Rental 

It takes expensive kitchen equipment to start a restaurant or cloud kitchen, and most small businesses prefer renting over buying. Renting ovens, refrigerators, deep fryers, and industrial stoves simplifies the process of starting business with less expense. 

Investment: ₹5–20 lakh (for quality kitchen appliances). 

Market: Hotel chains, banquet halls, wedding planners, event managers, and other party organizers. 

Profit Margin: 40–60% 

Tool Rentals 

Homeowners, DIYers, and small contractors require power tools, drills, ladders, and construction equipment for temporary projects. Purchasing these tools is costly, so renting is a good option. This venture is ideal for city centers, home renovation areas, and industrial parks. 

Investment: ₹2–5 lakh (for power tools, hand tools, and safety equipment). 

Market: Home repair workers, small contractors, and event setup teams. 

Profit Margin: 40–60%. Vehicles have a long life and need very little maintenance. 

Car Rentals 

Not everybody needs to own a car, considering fuel prices are rising, maintenance is costly, and cities have increasing traffic jams. Travelers, corporate travelers, and city residents prefer to rent a car only when the need arises. Start small by renting your own car or taking on a few low-cost models on lease. 

Investment: ₹5–20 lakh (depending upon the number of cars as well as the type of cars). 

Market: Corporate executives, tourists, wedding car rentals, and locals who require short-term vehicles. 

Profit Margin: 20–40% 

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Rental 

Construction sites, factories, healthcare institutions, and event security require safety equipment such as helmets, gloves, masks, hazmat suits, and face shields. Most companies find it economical to rent PPE instead of bulk purchases, particularly for short-term projects or contracted workers. This business is highly sought after in industrial areas, healthcare chains, and large event sites. 

Investment: ₹3–8 lakh (for different sets of PPE kits and sanitization machines).

Market: Builders, contractors, infrastructure projects, and industrial estates.

Profit Margin: 40–60% 

Construction Equipment Rental Business 

Heavy equipment such as mixers, bulldozers, scaffolding, and drilling rigs is costly to purchase, so rentals prove economical for builders, contractors, and infrastructure work. With high-speed urbanization, this business is flourishing in metro cities, tier-2 cities, and industrial estates. 

Investment: ₹10–50 lakh (for a small fleet of core machines). 

Market: Builders, contractors, road construction firms, and government projects. 

Profit Margin: 50–70%. 

Coworking & Shared Office Space Rental 

With an increase in freelancers, startups, and remote workers, there is an increasing need for shared offices. Rather than renting costly office space, professionals want to rent out flexible working space with meeting areas, internet connectivity, and other amenities. The business is suited for metro cities, IT parks, and startup areas. 

Investment: ₹10–50 lakh (to rent space, furniture, internet installation, and utilities). 

Market: Freelancers, startups, remote workers, and small companies. 

Profit Margin: 50–70% 

Designer Clothes Rental Business 

Not everyone wants to spend a fortune on designer lehengas, tuxedos, or wedding outfits they’ll wear just once. Renting branded and designer clothing is a cost-effective and stylish solution for weddings, parties, and special occasions. This business is highly profitable in metro cities, wedding hubs, and among college students. 

Investment: ₹5–15 lakh (to begin a set of designer clothes). 

Market: Brides, grooms, young people interested in fashion, influencers, and corporate party attendees. 

Profit Margin: 60–80%. 

Photography and Videography Equipment Rentals 

High-end cameras, lenses, lighting kits, and stabilizers are costly to purchase but are a must-have for photographers and filmmakers. Most wedding photographers, YouTubers, and independent filmmakers find it more convenient to rent high-end equipment instead of spending lakhs on equipment. 

Investment: ₹5–15 lakh (for high-end cameras, lenses, lighting, and accessories). 

Market: Wedding photographers, content creators, filmmakers, and media course students. 

Profit Margin: 40–60% 

Carpet and Rug Rental Business 

Hotels, banquet halls, wedding planners, and event organizers require carpets and rugs for a short period for events. Purchasing good quality carpets is costly, so the best option is to rent. This business remains profitable throughout the year, particularly during wedding and corporate event seasons. 

Investment: ₹3–10 lakh (for assorted carpets and rugs of various sizes and designs). 

Market: Hotels, banquet halls, wedding planners, corporate offices, and event organizers. 

Profit Margin: 35–55%

Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Rental 

Medical mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters are usually required temporarily for home recovery from surgery, care of the elderly, or mobility with traveling. Renting is what most prefer over purchasing, thus providing a stable and socially responsible business, particularly within hospital wards and retirement communities. 

Investment: ₹2–7 lakh (wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and walking aids). 

Market: Hospitals, nursing homes, home patients recovering, and people with disabilities. 

Profit Margin: 30–50% 

Camping and Trekking Equipment Rental Business 

With the increased popularity of adventure tourism and weekend trips, everyone is venturing into nature. But purchasing tents, sleeping bags, trekking poles, and cooking equipment for occasional use does not make business sense. Rentals are a reasonable option, particularly in hilly areas, adventure spots, and metro cities where trekking is a popular pastime. 

Investment: ₹3–8 lakh (in tents, rucksacks, sleeping bags, trekking poles, and sets of cooking gear). 

Market: Food entrepreneurs, restaurant and cloud kitchen owners, small food businesses. 

Profit Margin: 30–50% 

Final Thoughts 

For entrepreneurs, this business model is low-risk in contrast to conventional companies. 

Most of the rental businesses can be initiated with minimal investment, and once the initial amount is recouped, the returns can be consistent and substantial. 

And as more people are seeking affordable, hassle-free alternatives, the rental business in India is only going to expand. 

So, if you’re looking for a profitable business idea in India, the rental business is worth exploring. 

Pick an idea that aligns with your budget and skills, and start small if needed.