A PG agreement is a small document with a big impact. Get it right and your stay is smooth; skim it and you could lose your deposit, get hit with surprise charges, or be asked to leave on short notice. Before you sign anything or pay a deposit, walk through these ten checks.
1. The exact rent and what it includes
Confirm in writing whether the monthly rent covers food, electricity, water, Wi-Fi and housekeeping, or whether these are billed separately. "₹9,000 a month" means very little until you know what's bundled in.
2. Security deposit amount and refund terms
Most PGs ask for one to two months' rent as a deposit. The agreement should state the exact amount, the refund timeline after you leave, and what can be deducted (genuine damage vs. normal wear and tear). Vague refund clauses are the number-one cause of tenant disputes.
3. Notice period before leaving
Check how many days' notice you must give before vacating — usually 30 days. Also check whether the owner can ask you to leave, and with how much notice. It should be symmetrical and clearly written.
4. Lock-in period (if any)
Some PGs have a minimum stay (e.g. 3 or 6 months). Leaving early during a lock-in can mean forfeiting your deposit. If you're not sure how long you'll stay, negotiate this before signing.
5. Rent due date and payment proof
Note the date rent is due and the accepted payment methods. Always pay in a traceable way and insist on a receipt. Platforms like PGTribes generate rent receipts automatically and send WhatsApp reminders, so there's never a dispute about whether you paid.
6. Hidden and one-time charges
Ask directly about maintenance fees, joining fees, electricity-per-unit billing, or charges for an extra guest. Get every recurring or one-time charge listed so nothing appears as a "surprise" later.
7. House rules and timings
- Gate or entry timings and late-entry policy.
- Guest and visitor rules.
- Rules on cooking, smoking or alcohol.
- Notice for maintenance staff entering your room.
You don't have to love every rule — but you should know them before you move in, not after.
8. Amenities promised vs. delivered
If the listing promised AC, hot water, a specific meal plan or laundry, make sure those are named in the agreement. A verified listing with photos and a 360° tour makes this easy to confirm.
9. Maintenance and complaint process
Find out how you raise a complaint (leaking tap, broken Wi-Fi, pest control) and how quickly issues are addressed. A PG that uses a digital complaint system tends to resolve things far faster than one relying on word-of-mouth.
10. Owner identity and KYC
Make sure you're dealing with the actual owner or an authorised manager, not an unverified middleman. On PGTribes, owners are KYC-verified, so you know exactly who you're renting from and who's responsible if something goes wrong.
Move in with confidence
Run through these ten points and you've protected your money, your deposit and your peace of mind. The easiest way to tick most of them off in one go is to choose a verified PG with a transparent agreement from the start.
Explore KYC-verified PGs on PGTribes — clear pricing, digital rent receipts, and honest agreements, with no brokerage.
