PG Rules and Regulations: A Sample List You Can Copy and Adapt

House rules are what keep a shared home calm. The best rules are short, fair and written down before anyone moves in. Use the sample below as a starting point and change it to suit your PG.

Four principles for good PG rules

1. Few and clear. If the list runs to three pages, no one will read it.
2. Explain the reason. "Quiet after 10 p.m. so everyone can sleep" is easier to accept than "no noise".
3. Apply equally. Rules that bend for favourites create resentment.
4. Signed and displayed. Give every tenant a copy at move-in and put a short version on the notice board.

Sample rules

Timings and entry

• Main gate closes at [time]. Please inform the manager if you will return late.
• Guests are allowed in the common area between [time] and [time]. Overnight guests need prior permission.
• Keys and access cards must not be shared or copied.

Rent and payments

• Rent is due on or before the [date] of each month.
• Payments are made by [UPI / bank transfer / cash] and a receipt is given for every payment.
• The security deposit is refundable on move-out, after any agreed deductions, as per the agreement.
• [30] days' written notice is required before moving out.

Common areas and cleanliness

• Keep your room and the shared spaces tidy. Wash your own dishes if you use the kitchen.
• Dispose of waste in the bins provided.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol inside the premises [adjust to your policy and local law].

Noise and consideration

• Keep the volume low at all times and avoid loud music or calls after [10 p.m.].
• Respect other residents' privacy, belongings and personal space.

Electricity, water and property

• Switch off lights, fans and the AC when you leave the room.
• Heavy appliances such as heaters, irons or induction stoves are not allowed in rooms unless permitted. [See the electricity rule in your agreement.]
• Report any leak, damage or fault to the manager at once. Damage beyond normal wear and tear may be charged.

Safety

• Do not block corridors, stairs or fire exits.
• Know where the first-aid kit and the emergency contacts are.
• Cameras, if any, are only in common areas and entrances, never in rooms or bathrooms.

Complaints and consequences

• Raise complaints with the manager or through the complaint channel. We will reply within [time].
• Repeated rule breaks lead first to a verbal warning, then a written warning, and may lead to a notice to vacate as per the agreement.

Making the rules stick

• Explain them at move-in. Two minutes of conversation beats a document no one reads.
• Warn before you punish. A calm first conversation solves most problems.
• Write down every complaint. A record of what happened and when keeps things fair if a problem repeats. In PG ZONE, the complaint portal keeps this history for you.
• Review once a year. Ask tenants what is working and change what is not.

These samples are general. Adjust anything about timings, visitors or substances to match your own policy and the law where you live. You can also pair this with a signed agreement from our PG rental agreement generator.

Frequently asked questions

Can I fine tenants for breaking rules?

Only if a reasonable penalty is agreed in writing beforehand. Avoid arbitrary fines.

Are cameras allowed in a PG?

Cameras are usually limited to common areas and entrances. Never place them in rooms or bathrooms.

How often should I update the rules?

Review them once a year and whenever the same problem keeps happening.