Courtesy CW Games,Paying Guest(PG)s get costlier

Living in a paying guest (PG) accommodation in the Capital just got costlier by more than Rs 1,000 per month and students blame the Commonwealth Games for it.

Owners, it seems, are eyeing tourists and hostelers, who would have to vacate their rooms during the Games. Hostels of Delhi University (DU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) will be used to accommodate guests during the Games.

“Our landlord has increased the prices, as he is eyeing tourists who will be in the city for the Commonwealth Games,” said a student of St Stephen’s College, requesting anonymity.

“One of our hostels is closing down for renovation ahead of the Games and we have no option but to pay the exorbitant rent,” she added.

The hike ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 depending on the area (an increase of between 10 and 25 per cent).

“The landlord of the PG where I stay hiked the rent from Rs 5,500 to Rs 6,500 per month for a triple-seater room. He is eyeing the more lucrative option of renting rooms to tourists during the Games,” laments Teena Jha, a working woman.

But PG accommodation owners have a different story to tell. “We have no other choice. Prices are on the rise and we need to keep up,” said Amit Kumar, who is increasing the rent by Rs 1,500 per month (from Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,500) for a twin-sharing room at his Roop Nagar (near North Campus) accommodation.

The hike is highest in areas close to the DU's North Campus, where demand is more due to proximity to colleges. The minimum hike here is Rs 1,000 per month.

“Rates of electricity, food and diesel have gone up. We have generator sets that consume diesel. Load-shedding has made it imperative for us to increase rental rates,” said Mrs Sethi, who did not reveal her full name.

She owns an air-conditioned PG accommodation in Roop Nagar where a twin sharing room, which used to cost Rs 10,000 per person earlier, now costs Rs 11,000 per month.

Come June, when the new college session starts, the rates are expected to increase further.

“We are charging Rs 7,000 per month currently, but prices will go up by Rs 1,500 once the new session begins,” said Sunny, who refused to reveal his full name.

The accommodation is located in South Extension Part-I and food is not included in expenses.

College hostels charge students anything between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 per annum. Food is included in the expenditure.

In areas like South Extension and Lajpat Nagar, which are popular with college students and single working women, the average rate for a PG accommodation till a few months ago was between Rs 4,500 and Rs 6,000 per month.

The average rent now is between Rs 5,500 and Rs 7,500 per month.