New Delhi: Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood on Tuesday said the government is working on a comprehensive framework to regulate paying guest accommodations in the city and plans to introduce it within the next one to two months.
Sood made the announcement while meeting university students, including NSS volunteers, who are staying in PGs and rented accommodation. The students highlighted several issues, including steep rents, excessive electricity charges, violations of rental agreements and lack of proper safety inspections.
Under the proposed Paying Guest Accommodation Regulation and Safety Bill, 2026, the government is considering compulsory licensing of PGs, area-based rent limits, structural and fire safety inspections and a centralised portal providing information on rent, facilities and compliance with safety norms.
“There will be proper regulation of PGs, including licensing, safety audits and transparency regarding rent and facilities. Students and their parents should know exactly what they are paying for and whether the accommodation meets safety standards,” Sood said.
The minister said the government was also examining ways to expand affordable student housing, including increasing the Floor Area Ratio for university hostels and converting unused government buildings into accommodation facilities.
Sood said the government would seek views from students, parents, PG owners and civic authorities before finalising the policy. He added that the proposed framework had already been discussed with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
The move comes after the Satya Niketan building collapse, which claimed seven lives and raised questions over the safety of properties being used as PGs and student housing.
Following the incident, the Delhi government ordered structural safety audits in key student areas, including South Campus and Mukherjee Nagar. It is also exploring alternative accommodation options to provide students with safer and more affordable housing.
“The safety of students is our priority. We will ensure that there is accountability and that buildings being used for student accommodation comply with all required safety norms,” Sood said.
