Tips for selecting the right PG accommodation

Comparing paying guest (PG) accommodations can be tough, at least in the beginning. You will need to do some research and due diligence, before you get it right. Here are some things you must check before finalising on one.

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Paying Guest – what it means

A paying guest is someone who lives within the premises of the owner in the same house/flat, utilising all the facilities and paying the owner for food, laundry, bed, etc.

Checklist for moving into a shared house

If you have opted for a shared accommodation, there are chances that a flatmate may turn in soon. If you have any concerns, make sure that you make it known to the owner, before you start living in the PG. For example, if you are someone who studies late into the night, keeping the lights switched on, you will want to make sure that your flatmate is like-minded.

Sharing the washroom?

You might have opted for a twin-sharing PG but the washrooms may be shared by everyone in the PG. Does that make you uncomfortable? Make sure you check the arrangement before you pay the owner and prepare to settle in.

Availability of food in PG accommodations

Most students/professionals who head for a PG may prefer to opt for food provided by the PG. You may want to know the menu beforehand. You may also wish to opt for a PG that serves only vegetarian food. Before settling in, do get to understand breakfast, lunch and dinner timings and whether the PG offers a provision of packing the breakfast/lunch straight to your college/office, if you so wish. You may also want to discuss if there is an option of letting go of any of the meals, in exchange for a little concession.

Coronavirus: How to stay safe if you are living in a shared accommodation?

Curfew and time limits for using facilities

In case you work in shifts, make it clear to the owner. If you are a student and have classes that may go into late hours at night, inform the owner in advance.

It is best to have certain rules and regulations in place. For example, if it is a shared television, zero in on timings. You may also need to check if non-vegetarian food can be consumed in the room. Keep a list of things you would like to discuss ready, before signing on the dotted line.

Paying guest rules and regulations

What’s the curfew time?

20-year old Priyam Dubey had a 7 pm curfew time, at her PG in Jawahar Nagar, Delhi. If she got any later than that, her parents were required to send emails to the PG administration, explaining why their ward was late. “I have been preparing for competitive exams and have to attend two back-to-back coaching classes before I can get back to my PG. Often, I would end up returning late. I had to look for another PG mid-semester, because the PG owners were very strict about the timing,” she recalls. If you have similar issues, make sure you discuss these openly before you finalise on the PG.

Guest policy

Every owner has his/her own guest policy. Check with him/her about guests who may visit you during your stay. In case your parents want to come over, what will be the arrangements? In case friends want to visit you, what are the timings? What about the food arrangements for guests? Can the PG order in advance. If yes, how much time notice is required? Each owner will have his own policies. Discuss before hand so that no one is left surprised or disappointed.

Housekeeping schedule

Insist on daily housekeeping services. Most PGs are keen to do so but ultimately, you will be the one living in the room. So, make sure there is some help that you get on that front.

Other house rules

Fixed TV timings, no visitors, no non-vegetarian food, no drinking or smoking, rules in the breakout room and more – know the rules of the house before you set your foot in. If it irks you, you would probably want to look for another PG.

Paying guest (PG) agreement

The paying guest agreement must include the following details:

Names of parties involved
Description of premises allotted
Code of conduct expected from tenant/ owner
Deposit amount
Monthly rent

If required, you can add further details and customise or remove/add additional clauses. Once the agreement suits you, you can print it on stamp paper and all parties must sign the deed.

Most PG owners will ask for a security deposit ranging between one to six months or even more. This is usually done, to ensure that they do not have to scout for potential tenants mid-way. It is, therefore, important to ask about the terms and conditions:

What if I want to leave the PG mid-way, will I get my security deposit back?
Will the entire security deposit be refunded after the tenure?
How is the cost of damages calculated and how is the list of the damages that qualify ascertained?

Availability of public transport near the PG house

Now that you are all set to live independently, you have to depend on your own vehicle or public transport to commute. Given that most students prefer a PG close to their college, it is a given that they wish to keep their spend on commute at the minimum. Therefore, check for transport facilities – shared or otherwise in the area. If the frequency isn’t appreciable, you will have to spend much more on your transport than what you would have calculated.

Seek genuine feedback

Before you take the keys, make sure that you have done a site visit and spoken to a few flatmates there. Their reviews will be helpful, in determining whether or not this is the PG you had been hoping to get into.

Take a tour of the locality and premises of the PG, to ascertain the security in the PG.

List of things you must own to live in a PG

Not every PG is the same and you may need to work around it. For example, some PGs may have very basic furnishing, while others may not provide you with anything at all. Some others may truly be your home away from home. If you are planning to move into a PG soon, check whether it has the following:

Bed/mattress
Table/desk
Chair
Cupboards

You also need to prepare a list of things you would require, to maintain hygiene and cleanliness. Especially with the Coronavirus pandemic, it is advisable that you have your own set of things and not share it with others, unless absolutely necessary. This includes:

Buckets/mugs
Doormat
Wipes
Clean towels
Bedsheets/bedspreads
Dohars
Pillows and covers
Toiletries

What to check before selecting a PG?

Make sure that the accommodation has a ‘smart design’, even if it is a small room that you will be occupying. Many homes that let out rooms are focussing on facilities designed smartly without compromising on space. The focus is on making the space suit the 21st century consumer.

Do not be penny-wise and pound-foolish. An unfurnished room can seem cheaper than a furnished one but when one ends up buying basic furniture, it may adds up to the same. Unless you have your own furniture and accessories, try to get a furnished accommodation.

Ensure that you have the luxury of an accommodation where you can relax and rejuvenate at the end of a hard working day.

How to check for hygiene in a PG amid the Coronavirus pandemic

Various state governments have released guidelines for paying guest accommodation owners. The Karnataka government has directed PG owners to do the following and no matter where you are living, you must ensure that your PG is complying with the rules.

The owner of the PG accommodation should have all the relevant information (Aadhar card / passport / driving license, etc.) of all the paying guests who are staying.
Designate a nodal person from the PG accommodation for coordinating COVID-19-related activities.
Ensure that all paying guests and staff download the Aarogya Setu and Apthamitra mobile app.
All new entrants/returnees should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
All the rooms, bathrooms, washrooms, kitchens, common areas and exteriors of the PG accommodation building should be regularly cleaned and sanitised.
It should be ensured that all inmates and staff take safety precautions like wearing masks, washing hands with soap, using hand sanitisers, etc.

FAQs

Why is it important to have a PG agreement?

A PG Agreement, after both parties have agreed to all points, is important, because it protects both parties – the paying guest and owner - against future legal battles. Make sure the agreement is made on stamp paper as it becomes a collateral evidence, meaning a supporting document.

What are the facilities that the landlord is expected to provide?

Besides using the premises to stay, some facilities provided are food, laundry, television, bed, refrigerator and internet. Make sure that the facilities are mentioned in the agreement.

Is there a duration of a PG agreement?

An agreement can be made for a month, six months or 11 months, though legally it is considered as a month to month licence.

What are some of the things that I should check before finalising on a PG?

The most important part is the budget and location. Next, you could check the amenities in and around the PG, as well as the facilities within the PG.

Where do I get a complete list of PGs in Delhi?

You can search Housing.com for a complete list of PG properties in Delhi.

What is the price range of PG properties?

This will vary, depending upon the property and its location, the various facilities it offers and so on. Roughly, most PGs cost between Rs 5,000-20,000 per month.

Looking for a suitable PG? Search from over half a million listings on Housing.com.

(With additional inputs from Aruna Rathod)

Factors to consider, while opting for a PG accommodation

By Pooja Bhatia, July 1, 2019

A paying guest accommodation may be ideal for individuals who are new to a city and are looking for rental options at an affordable price. We examine the points that such tenants should consider, before opting for this rental option

The rental landscape in India is undergoing a slow transformation, with the influx of people into metro cities, in search of jobs. The rental market has also benefited from the surging real estate prices in India, which have made home ownership unaffordable to many. Growth of the rental market, has meant that paying guest (PG) accommodations have also gained traction. People from all walks of life, especially bachelors, are now opting for PG homes, as they offer an easy rental option and stringent rental agreement rules. Moreover, there is better awareness about tenant and tenancy rights and searching for a PG accommodation is quite easy nowadays, with multiple online sites. This has led to mushrooming business, making PG rentals a consumer-led market.

Advantages of living as a paying guest

“India’s urban population rose by 31.8% in 2016 and this requires better rental infrastructure. PG accommodations are a convenient way to fulfill the needs of bachelors, vis-à-vis rental options. At the same time co-living options, like flat mates, support independency, lifestyle and resemblance to your home in a new city,” says, Sanchal Ranjan, co-founder and CEO, ZiffyHomes.

“If you plan to move into your own apartment, prepare yourself as it will be expensive to rent a semi-furnished or a fully-furnished home. With PG, you can have peace of mind, as the owner will fix you up with the basic facilities, such as furniture, electronics and most importantly, food. Most PG owners in Delhi, provide you with a meal plan and it definitely helps. Also, in a PG home, you will be sharing the space with like-minded people, which will help in your personal development,” explains Harshit Takkar, manager, business intelligence, FellaHomes.

Cost of a PG accommodation

PG accommodations are also ideal for individuals, who are new to a city and are looking for rental options at an affordable price. “An average person spends one-third of their earnings on accommodation, which includes rent, electricity charges, groceries/food, maintenance charges, maid, cook, etc. A PG accommodation provides all these components in a single option,” Ranjan elaborates.

Nevertheless, one needs to consider several important factors, before selecting a PG accommodation. These include security arrangements, availability of power backup, distance from the workplace, access to transport options like metro, buses, etc., and presence of market places, convenience stores, hospitals, shopping malls and entertainment centres, nearby, as in the long run these will affect your monthly budget, adds Ranjan.

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Sneha Sharon Mammen

Sneha takes her head and heart to work. A passionate writer, she loves to pen observations about real estate, policies, business, infrastructure, lifestyle, luxury, marketplace and people. She is a gold-medalist and majored in English Literature and Communications. Off work, she is interested in theatre.

What to check before you finalise a PG?

Paying Guest – what it means