Delhi draft bill proposes licences and rent rules for PGs

An estimated 200,000 PG accommodations in Delhi could be brought under mandatory licensing if the proposed Paying Guest Accommodation Regulation and Safety Bill, 2026, moves ahead.

The draft would require every PG operator to obtain a licence from the local zone authority within 90 days. Operators would need police verification, a no-objection certificate, municipal clearance for structural and fire safety, and clearance from regional administrative officials. Registered properties would receive a unique number and appear on a proposed GovPG portal, where students could check occupancy, rent changes and audit dates.

The proposal also calls for rent bands, a grievance redressal mechanism, and security measures including CCTV cameras, guards, visitor registers and wardens. It identifies Mukherjee Nagar, Laxmi Nagar and Rajendra Nagar among areas where many PGs operate without records held by police, Delhi Fire Services or the MCD.

The draft follows the fatal Satya Niketan PG building collapse. It does not set out specific requirements for fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency exits, evacuation plans or fire drills. Delhi's urban development department is studying the proposal and is expected to decide whether to place it before the cabinet.