Tourism Department lays down strict norms for homestay units

The Tourism Department has notified the Himachal Pradesh Homestay Rules, 2025 for running of home stays while laying down strict norms along with imposition and enhancement in the registration fee.

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The Himachal Pradesh Homestay Rules, 2025 Rules for running home stays was notified by the department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, yesterday. The objections and suggestions with regard to these Rules can be filed within 15 days from February 11, 2025.

While specifying the definition of home stays it has been has been stated that any private house located in urban/ rural areas of the state should be in good condition and easily accessible. The rules specifically mentions that home stay units can be run in the farm houses, orchards and tea gardens.

The Himachal Government had constituted a Cabinet sub-committee to look into all issues concerning running of homestays. The various hoteliers associations, across the state had been demanding that there should be stricter rules for home stays as many of them were being run illegally and adversely affecting their business.

The registration fee for a four to six room units within municipal areas has been fixed at Rs 12,000 while for one to three rooms it will be Rs 8,000. The fee in SADA and planning areas has been fixed at Rs 8,000 and Rs 5,000, respectively, for four to six rooms and one to three rooms. In case of rural areas falling under panchayats, the fee will be Rs 6,000 and Rs 3,000.

In the urban, planning and special area development authority (SADA) areas, the concerned departments will charge commercial rates on power supply, water supply, sewerage and garbage collection for the portion of house or building which is being used as a home stay unit. The owner will be required to install separate meter for residential area to avail domestic charges for the area being used by him for his own use.

It has been specified that the prescribed authority before registering such home stay units shall ensure through site inspection the location, facilities, surrounding environment, hygiene, cleanliness, security, safety and security of the tourists. In case of an apartment or a residential flat, that is likely to be operated as a home stay unit, an NOC from the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) shall have to be mandatorily submitted.

Every home stay unit owner shall get the unit registered with the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation but it shall not be mandatory for the owner to reside in the unit. The renewal of registration will have to be done every year or in three years. If registration fee is paid for three years in one go, then a discount of 10 per cent on the applicable fee will be given. In case of a woman owner, an additional 5 per cent discount will be given.

As per the rules, it has been made mandatory for the owners of the home stays to have rainwater harvesting system in their units. It has also been desired that the owners should promote Himachali Handicrafts and Himachali architecture in their units.