Moving into a PG in Delhi involves paperwork — on both sides. You submit documents to prove your identity and purpose of stay. In return, you should receive a formal rental agreement, receipts and emergency contacts. Most PG disputes could be avoided if both parties had clear paperwork from day one.
Never pay a security deposit without receiving a signed, dated receipt and a formal rental agreement. Any PG that cannot provide these on the day of joining should be reconsidered.
1. Documents You Submit to the PG
A legitimate PG will collect identity and background documents from every resident. This is standard practice and protects everyone in the property.
- Government-issued photo ID (any one): Aadhaar card, PAN card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence
- Address proof (current permanent address): Aadhaar card or a document from your home address — bank statement, utility bill, or parents' Aadhaar
- Passport-size photographs: 2 recent colour photographs. Required for records and for the rental agreement.
- College admission letter or employee ID: Most PGs require proof of your purpose of stay — either a college letter with your joining date or an employee ID / appointment letter from your employer.
- Emergency contact details: Parent or guardian name, phone number and address. Provided in writing, not just verbally.
2. Documents You Must Receive
This is the part most residents overlook. You are entitled to receive formal documentation from the PG — not just hand over your own.
- Signed rental agreement (two copies): One copy for you, one for the PG. Both signed by both parties. Dated with your move-in date.
- Security deposit receipt: Separate from the rental agreement — a specific receipt confirming the exact amount, payment method, and refund conditions.
- Monthly rent receipts: Every monthly payment should generate a written or digital receipt. These are valid address proof for banks, employers and courts.
- Rules and regulations document: Most well-run PGs have a written house rules document. Get this before signing — so there are no disputes about what is or is not permitted.
- Emergency contacts: Warden's personal number, management's number, and the protocol for maintenance emergencies.
3. The Rental Agreement — Read Before You Sign
The rental agreement is the most important document in this transaction. Here is every clause to check before signing:
| Clause | What It Must Specify |
|---|---|
| Monthly rent | Exact rupee amount, due date, payment methods accepted |
| What's included | Itemised list: meals, WiFi, electricity, water, housekeeping, laundry — or clear "self-service" notice |
| Security deposit | Exact amount, refund timeline (typically 15–30 days after vacating), deduction conditions |
| Notice period | Days required to give before vacating. Standard is 30 days. Verify what happens if you leave earlier. |
| Visitor policy | Visiting hours, ID requirement, overnight rules |
| Agreement duration | Fixed term or monthly rolling? What happens at expiry? |
| Rent revision | Can rent be increased, and with how much notice? |
| Termination grounds | Under what conditions can the PG ask you to vacate? And vice versa? |
"Electricity will be charged as per usage" without a cap means unbounded bills. "Visitors allowed at management's discretion" with no hours specified means no protection. Every important term should be specific, not vague.
4. Security Deposit — Your Rights
The security deposit is your money, held by the PG. Here is what the law and good practice say about it:
- Standard amount: 1–3 months rent. Anything beyond 3 months for a PG (as opposed to a full flat) is unusual — ask why.
- Refund timeline: Should be returned within 15–30 days of vacating after giving the agreed notice period. Get this in writing.
- Deduction grounds: The agreement must specify what deductions are valid (genuine damage to property) vs what is not (normal wear and tear, cleaning). If this is not specified, deductions are harder to dispute.
- If your deposit is withheld unfairly: A written rental agreement is your primary evidence in a consumer court complaint. This is why paperwork matters.
5. Red Flags in Paperwork
- PG refuses to give you a signed copy of the agreement
- Agreement has no mention of the security deposit refund terms
- No monthly receipts — "we'll WhatsApp you"
- Agreement written entirely in a language you don't read
- Terms that cannot be explained clearly when you ask
- Deposit taken in cash without a formal receipt
- No visitor policy in writing — "we'll discuss it later"
6. What Well-Run PGs Do Differently
A well-managed PG makes documentation easy and transparent — because they have nothing to hide and want legally protected tenancies just as much as you do. Kuriosity Homes provides signed rental agreements, formal receipts for every payment, a written rules document, and an emergency contact card for every resident on joining day.
The monthly rent includes everything (room, meals, WiFi, electricity, housekeeping, laundry, parking) — so there are no "extra charge" surprises to dispute later.
"The agreement was clear, the receipt was immediate, and everything was specified. That's when we knew this was a legitimate property."— Parent of a Kuriosity Homes resident
7. Tenant Rights Under Indian Law
PG accommodation in India is typically covered by the general law of contracts and, in some states, by local rent control acts. Key rights to know:
- You have the right to a written agreement — verbal agreements are enforceable in theory but almost impossible to prove. Always insist on paper.
- Security deposits must be returned — deductions must be justified with documentation (damage photos, repair invoices). Blanket deductions without evidence are contestable.
- Rent cannot be increased mid-agreement — once you have a signed agreement for a fixed period, rent cannot be unilaterally increased before that period ends.
- You cannot be evicted without notice — the notice period in your agreement protects you from sudden eviction. Keep a copy of your agreement at home (not just in Delhi).
- Consumer courts can hear PG disputes — if your deposit is wrongfully withheld or you are defrauded, the consumer forum is the appropriate route. Your rental agreement and receipts are the primary evidence.
Kuriosity Homes provides a formal rental agreement, security deposit receipt, monthly receipts and written house rules to every resident on day one. Book a visit or WhatsApp +91 93110 95227.