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Short answer: good PG rules are short, specific and agreed in writing before the tenant moves in. They cover gate timings, visitors, rent and late fees, deposit and notice, food, electricity, cleanliness, noise, smoking and alcohol, safety, damage, ID verification and how to leave. Below is a template you can copy, change to suit your PG, and give to every new resident.
Why written house rules matter
- They back up your agreement. Your PG rent agreement covers rent, deposit and term. House rules cover daily life. Refer to the rules in the agreement so both are part of the deal.
- They make enforcement fair. When a late fee or deduction is written down and signed, applying it is not personal.
- Authorities are looking more closely at PGs. In September 2026 the Karnataka High Court directed Bengaluru authorities to inspect PGs for fire and electrical safety, working CCTV in common areas and controlled entry. In July 2026 Hyderabad police said women’s hostels and PGs in the city must register at the local police station and keep entry registers. Requirements vary by state and city, so check what applies to you.
The PG house rules template (copy and edit)
Replace everything in [square brackets]. Delete any rule that does not fit your PG — a short list people actually read beats a long one they ignore.
[PG name] — House Rules for Residents
Address: [address] · Manager: [name, phone] · Effective from: [date]
Entry, exit and gate timings
- The main gate closes at [time] and opens at [time]. If you will be later than [time], inform the manager or warden on [phone/app] before [time].
- Residents working night shifts must share their shift timings in writing so the gate can be opened for them.
- Do not share your room key, gate code or access card. Report a lost key immediately; replacement costs ₹[amount].
Visitors and overnight stays
- Visitors are allowed in the [common area/reception] between [time] and [time] and must sign the visitor register with ID.
- Visitors are not allowed in rooms [or: allowed in rooms only with roommates’ consent, until [time]].
- Overnight guests are allowed only with the manager’s prior approval, valid photo ID, and a charge of ₹[amount] per night, for a maximum of [number] nights a month.
Rent, late fee and payments
- Rent of ₹[amount] is due on the [day] of every month [or: on your joining date each month].
- Rent paid after the [day] attracts a late fee of ₹[amount] per day, up to a maximum of ₹[amount] a month.
- Pay by [UPI / bank transfer / app]. A receipt is issued for every payment. Cash is accepted only against a receipt.
Deposit, notice and leaving
- The security deposit is ₹[amount]. It is refundable within [number] days of vacating, after deducting unpaid rent, unpaid bills and the cost of damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- Give at least [number] days’ written notice before leaving (in the app, by email or on the notice form). Messages to other residents or staff do not count as notice.
- If you leave without the full notice, [number] days’ rent may be adjusted from the deposit.
- On the last day, return keys and access cards, clear your belongings and complete a room check with the manager. Items left behind after [number] days may be disposed of.
Food and mess
- Meals are served at: breakfast [time–time], lunch [time–time], dinner [time–time]. The weekly menu is shared in advance.
- Inform the kitchen by [time] if you will skip a meal [and the meal will/will not be adjusted in rent].
- Cooking in rooms and use of induction stoves, kettles or heaters in rooms is [not allowed / allowed only for …].
Electricity, water and AC
- Switch off lights, fans, geysers and AC when you leave the room.
- [Electricity is included in rent] or [AC rooms pay electricity by sub-meter reading at ₹[rate] per unit, shared equally between room occupants].
- Do not use high-load appliances (irons, heaters, hair-straighteners on extension boards) except in [designated area].
Cleanliness and common areas
- Rooms are cleaned [daily/on these days]. Keep your belongings off the floor on cleaning days.
- Do not leave food in rooms overnight. Use the dustbins provided and segregate wet and dry waste.
- Clean up after using the kitchen, washing machine and TV area.
Noise and behaviour
- Quiet hours are [time] to [time]. Use headphones for calls and music.
- Abusive language, fights, harassment or threatening behaviour towards residents or staff can lead to immediate termination of the stay.
Smoking, alcohol and prohibited items
- Smoking is not allowed inside rooms or common areas [allowed only at: designated spot].
- Alcohol is [not allowed on the premises / not allowed in common areas]. Illegal drugs, weapons and inflammable materials are strictly prohibited.
- Pets are [not allowed / allowed only with written approval].
Safety and security
- Do not block corridors, staircases or fire exits. Do not tamper with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors or CCTV.
- CCTV covers entrances, corridors and common areas only — never rooms or bathrooms.
- Keep valuables locked. The management is not responsible for cash or valuables left unlocked.
- Report electrical faults, water leaks or safety concerns immediately to [phone/app].
Damage and maintenance
- Furniture and fittings are checked at move-in. Damage beyond normal wear and tear will be charged at actual repair cost.
- Do not drill, paint, or stick posters on walls without permission.
- Staff may enter rooms for cleaning or repairs at [times], and only after informing you, except in an emergency.
ID and police verification
- Every resident must give a valid photo ID, permanent address proof, a passport-size photo and an emergency contact before moving in.
- Your details will be submitted for police verification as required by local police. Your documents are kept securely and used only for this purpose.
Complaints and changes to rules
- Raise complaints through [app/register/phone]. We aim to respond within [number] hours.
- Any change to these rules will be shared in writing at least [number] days before it applies.
I have read and agree to these house rules.
Resident name: __________ · Room/bed: ______ · Signature: __________ · Date: ______
Filling in the numbers: practical starting points
There is no law that sets a PG’s gate time, late fee or notice period. These are your business decisions — just make them reasonable and apply them to everyone. A few points owners often get wrong:
| Rule | Things to keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Late fee | Keep it small and capped. A flat amount per day with a monthly cap is easy to explain. A fee that keeps growing without limit invites disputes. |
| Deposit | For ordinary rentals, the central Model Tenancy Act, 2021 caps deposits at two months’ rent for residential premises. It is a model law that applies only where a state adopts it, and it does not say whether it covers PGs — but it is a useful benchmark for what is reasonable. See our security deposit guide. |
| Notice period | Match your agreement. Many PGs use 15 or 30 days; whatever you choose, say how notice must be given. Our notice to vacate letter format helps both sides. |
| Gate time | Set it for security, not control. Always give a way to come in late with prior information, especially for shift workers. |
| Electricity | If you charge AC rooms separately, use a sub-meter and write the per-unit rate in the rules. |
What not to put in your PG rules
A rule that you cannot enforce, or that is unfair, weakens the rest of the list. Avoid these:
- “Deposit is non-refundable.” A deposit is security for dues and damage, not extra income. If you want a non-refundable fee, call it a joining or maintenance fee and say so clearly upfront.
- Cutting off water, electricity or food to recover rent, or locking a resident out. The Model Tenancy Act specifically bars landlords from withholding essential supplies such as water and electricity, and self-help eviction can land you in legal trouble. Use the late fee, the deposit and the notice process instead.
- Unannounced room checks at any hour. Give notice except in emergencies. For ordinary tenancies, the Model Tenancy Act requires the landlord to give the tenant advance written notice before entering the premises; a PG is not a tenancy in the same sense, but the courtesy carries over — set clear cleaning and inspection times and stick to them.
- Cameras in rooms or bathrooms. The Karnataka High Court’s 2026 directions specifically ban CCTV in bedrooms, bathrooms, toilets and changing areas.
- Blanket fines such as “₹1,000 for any rule violation”. Fines should be specific, small and written next to the rule they apply to.
- “Management is not responsible for anything.” You remain responsible for basic safety — fire exits, wiring, locks. Limit your liability for valuables left unlocked, not for the building.
- Rules about residents’ religion, personal food choices or who they may talk to. House rules should be about the premises and other residents, not private life.
- Asking residents to settle serious complaints internally. Harassment, theft or assault are matters for the police. The Karnataka High Court has said PG operators cannot suppress such complaints.
Extra notes for girls’ and women’s PGs
- Registration may be required. In Hyderabad, police said in July 2026 that all women’s hostels and PGs must register at their local police station. Check with your local police station — this varies by city.
- Visitor control and records. Keep a visitor register with ID, limit visitors to the reception or common area, and have a clear rule on male visitors. The Karnataka High Court’s directions list controlled entry, visitor verification, lighting, working locks and emergency communication for women occupants.
- Staff checks. Hyderabad’s guidelines call for background checks on staff and service providers. Verify your cooks, cleaners and guards too.
- Curfews should be for safety, and equal where possible. In 2022 the Kerala High Court questioned a 9:30 pm curfew that applied only to women students, saying protection based on gender alone needs compelling reasons. For a private PG this is not a direct rule, but it is a good test: if a gate time would not make sense for a men’s PG, rethink it. Give a simple late-entry process instead of a hard lockout.
- Emergency contacts. Display the manager’s number, local police (112) and the women’s helpline (181) at the entrance and in common areas.
How to enforce rules fairly
- Start with a reminder. Most first-time issues end with a polite message. Note the date.
- Then a written warning, quoting the rule number.
- Apply the written penalty — late fee, guest charge or damage cost — exactly as stated. Do not invent a new one in the moment.
- For repeated or serious breaches, end the stay through the notice process in your agreement, with a written reason and a proper deposit settlement.
- Apply the same rule to everyone. Selective enforcement is what residents remember and review.
Keep records of payments, complaints, warnings and notices in one place. With My PG Manager, rent reminders and receipts go out on WhatsApp, complaints are logged with dates, and notice and checkout are tracked through to the deposit settlement, so there is a clear trail if a disagreement comes up.
Getting tenants to accept the rules
- Share the rules before the deposit is paid, not after the resident has moved their bags in.
- Get a signature or a recorded acceptance, with the date and version. If you change the rules later, get fresh acceptance.
- Walk through the five rules that matter most — rent date, late fee, guests, gate time and notice — in person at check-in.
- Do police verification at check-in along with the agreement and rules. Our police verification form and state-wise verification guide explain how.
In My PG Manager, you write your house rules once; each tenant accepts them when they join, and a snapshot of the rules they accepted is saved with their record. Residents can see the rules, their dues and the food menu in their own tenant app. It is a 14-day free trial, then ₹159 a month. Our video tutorials show the setup.
For the wider legal picture — licences, registrations and safety norms — see legal compliance for PG owners in India.
Frequently asked questions
Are PG rules legally binding?
House rules that a resident has signed or accepted as part of the agreement are part of the contract between you. They still cannot override the law — for example, you cannot enforce a rule that cuts off essential supplies or allows cameras in rooms.
Is there a government-prescribed gate time for PGs?
Not as a general rule. Gate times are set by the owner. Some local police or municipal guidelines, especially for women’s hostels, add security requirements such as entry registers and guards, and these vary by city.
Can a PG owner charge a late fee on rent?
Yes, if it is written in the agreement or house rules the resident accepted. Keep it reasonable and capped.
Can I stop a resident’s food or electricity for unpaid rent?
No — that is not a safe way to recover dues. Use the late fee, adjust from the deposit when the resident leaves, and end the stay through notice if needed.
How much notice should a PG resident give before leaving?
Whatever your agreement says; 15 or 30 days is common. Specify how notice must be given so there is no confusion about the date.
Should girls’ PG rules be different?
Mostly in security: visitor verification, controlled entry, staff checks and, in some cities, police registration. Avoid rules that restrict women only because of gender.
Sources
- Model Tenancy Act, 2021 — deposit cap, entry notice and essential services — King Stubb & Kasiva; overview at PRS Legislative Research.
- Karnataka High Court directions on Bengaluru PG safety (Sept 2026) — Bar & Bench.
- Hyderabad women’s hostels and PGs: registration, entry registers and staff checks (July 2026) — Deccan Chronicle.
- Kerala High Court on hostel curfew for women students (2022) — LiveLaw; The News Minute.
Last reviewed: October 2026. General information, not legal advice — local rules for PGs vary by state and city, so confirm with your municipal office and local police station.
We build My PG Manager, the app PG and hostel owners use for rooms, tenants, rent collection and WhatsApp reminders. Our guides come from running it with owners across India.
