How to Stay Compliant: The Checklist for Running a Legal PG in Bangalore & Kerala (2026)
Local authorities are cracking down on unlicensed PGs. Stay ahead with this legal checklist covering permits, safety codes, and KYC verification.
With municipal bodies like the BBMP in Bangalore and local corporations in Kerala (Kochi, Trivandrum) enforcing strict co-living guidelines, running an unregistered PG is highly risky. Authorities are actively issuing fines and closures for non-compliant properties. Here is the legal compliance checklist every PG owner must follow.
1. Obtain Mandatory Trade and Business Licenses
You cannot run a commercial co-living space in a residential building without proper permits. You must apply for a commercial trade license from your municipal body, NOCs from neighboring residents, and register under local commercial establishment acts.
2. Fire Safety Clearance and NOC
Hostels and PGs host high resident densities. You must install visible fire extinguishers on every floor, maintain clear emergency exit corridors, and receive a formal fire safety certificate from the department.
3. Mandatory CCTV and Security Setup
Guidelines require PGs to have active CCTV cameras covering entrance gates, common lobbies, and dining halls. Keeping backup recordings for at least 30 days is mandatory for police verification audits.
4. Tenant Police Verification & KYC
In most Indian cities, you must submit details of out-of-state residents to the local police station within 48 hours of check-in. Digitizing this KYC data (Aadhaar cards, company ID cards) keeps records secure and ready for sudden inspections.