On this page
Short answer: ask every tenant for a government photo ID and a permanent address, but verify it instead of only collecting a photocopy. The safest way to check an Aadhaar is to scan its secure QR code or have the tenant share it through DigiLocker, where the data comes straight from UIDAI. Keep only what you need, prefer a masked Aadhaar (last four digits), store it privately, and delete it when you no longer need it.
KYC protects you twice: it tells you who is living in your property, and it is the base for police verification, which many cities require.
What to collect from every tenant
| Detail | Why you need it | Usual proof |
|---|---|---|
| Full name and photo | To know who is staying | Any government photo ID |
| Permanent address | Police verification and recovery of dues | Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, driving licence |
| Phone number | Reminders and emergencies | OTP check, or a call |
| Emergency contact | Illness or accident | Name, relation and phone |
| Employer or college | A second way to reach the tenant | Office or college ID |
| Foreign nationals: passport and visa | Form C must be filed within 24 hours of arrival | Passport and visa pages |
Which ID to accept
| ID | Has address? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar | Yes | Most common. Verify by QR or DigiLocker, not by looking at a copy |
| Passport | Yes (last page) | Strong ID; the address may be out of date |
| Driving licence | Yes | Can be checked in DigiLocker |
| Voter ID | Yes | Widely held, even by tenants without a passport |
| PAN card | No | Good for identity, but you also need an address proof |
Do not insist on Aadhaar only. Aadhaar is not mandatory for private services such as a PG stay, so a tenant who offers another valid government ID should not be turned away for it. Accept any of the IDs above.
Why Aadhaar photocopies are a problem
- They are easy to fake. A photocopy or a WhatsApp photo can be edited in minutes. Looking at it proves nothing.
- They are risky to keep. A file of full Aadhaar copies is exactly what fraudsters look for. If it leaks from your phone or drawer, you are responsible.
- UIDAI is moving away from them. UIDAI has said it wants to end photocopy-based checks by hotels and other businesses. Since 2026 it registers offline verification seeking entities that use its app-based checks, and it recommends QR, DigiLocker and app verification instead.
If you do keep a copy, ask for a masked Aadhaar, which shows only the last four digits. Tenants can download one from the UIDAI website or app.
Ways to verify a tenant's Aadhaar
| Method | How it works | How reliable |
|---|---|---|
| Look at a photocopy | Compare the photo with the person | Low. Easy to edit or borrow |
| Scan the secure QR code | Scan the QR on the Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar with UIDAI's Aadhaar app; it shows the details signed by UIDAI | Good. Shows tampering, but the card must be in front of you |
| DigiLocker | The tenant logs in to DigiLocker and shares their Aadhaar; the data comes directly from UIDAI | High. Documents issued in DigiLocker count the same as originals |
| DigiLocker plus a selfie match | The tenant's live selfie is compared with the Aadhaar photo | Highest. Stops someone using another person's Aadhaar |
DigiLocker is also useful for other documents. A driving licence, a degree certificate or a vehicle RC fetched from the issuer are treated the same as the physical original under the IT rules for digital lockers. A file the tenant uploads to DigiLocker themselves does not get that status.
Storing tenant documents safely
India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 covers personal data you hold in digital form, which includes tenant IDs on your phone, laptop or in an app. Its rules were notified in November 2025, and most duties apply from May 2027. Following them now is good practice:
- Tell tenants why you collect each document (identity, police verification, contact) and use it only for that.
- Collect the minimum. A masked Aadhaar or a DigiLocker result is enough for most PGs.
- Keep it private. Not in a WhatsApp group, not in your phone gallery, not in a shared drive anyone can open.
- Limit who can see it. A warden or caretaker does not need every tenant's ID.
- Delete it when you are done, after the tenant has left and any record-keeping period your local police rules require has passed. Our move-out checklist includes this step.
A simple KYC process at joining
- Before move-in, ask the tenant to verify through DigiLocker or bring their Aadhaar for a QR scan.
- Check the photo against the person in front of you, or use a selfie match.
- Record the address, phone, emergency contact and employer or college.
- Have the tenant accept your PG rules and sign the rental agreement.
- Submit police verification where your city requires it, and Form C for foreign nationals.
The rest of the joining steps are in our move-in checklist.
Doing this with My PG Manager
My PG Manager has DigiLocker KYC built in:
- New tenants tap Verify with DigiLocker in the tenant app or on your PG's joining link and QR code. No photocopies change hands.
- You get the verified name, date of birth, address, photo and masked Aadhaar, marked as verified on the tenant's profile.
- An optional selfie match checks that the person joining is the person on the Aadhaar.
- ID documents are stored privately and opened only through short-lived links, not public files.
- You pay a small fee per verification from a prepaid KYC wallet, and only successful verifications are charged.
The app costs ₹159 a month for unlimited properties and tenants after a 14-day free trial. See pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aadhaar mandatory to stay in a PG?
No law makes Aadhaar mandatory for a PG stay. You can ask for a government photo ID and address proof, and should accept alternatives like a passport, voter ID or driving licence.
Can a PG owner keep a copy of a tenant's Aadhaar?
It is safer not to keep full copies. Verify through QR or DigiLocker, keep a masked Aadhaar if you need a record, store it privately and delete it when it is no longer needed.
Is a DigiLocker Aadhaar valid as proof?
Yes. Documents issued into DigiLocker by the issuing authority, such as Aadhaar from UIDAI, are treated the same as the original physical documents.
What is masked Aadhaar?
A version of the e-Aadhaar that hides the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number and shows only the last four. It is enough for most identity checks.
Does KYC replace police verification?
No. KYC tells you who the tenant is. Police verification is a separate step that many cities require of owners. Your KYC details are what you submit for it.
Sources
- UIDAI, registration of offline verification seeking entities; reporting on UIDAI's plan to end photocopy-based checks: MediaNama, December 2025.
- DigiLocker documents treated the same as originals under Rule 9A of the Digital Locker rules (G.S.R. 711(E), 8 February 2017): DigiLocker.
- Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 and their phased start: PIB.
Last reviewed: October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Police verification and record-keeping rules differ by city and state.
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.
