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The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a new policy to regulate homestays and bed-and-breakfast (BnB) units, requiring all operators to register by June next year. Homestays are owner-occupied with up to six rooms, while BnBs are owner-absent but must have a caretaker. Registered units will receive benefits such as residential-rate utilities, rooftop solar subsidies, staff training, and listings on the state tourism portal. Applications will be processed online, followed by inspection and approval within a month. Properties will be graded as silver or gold, based on facilities, with fees ranging from INR 100 for rural units to INR 3,000 for gold. CCTV installation and safety compliance are mandatory.
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a comprehensive policy to regulate homestays and bed and breakfast (BnB) units running in residential properties. Under this new framework, all operators are required to register by early June next year in order to gain legal recognition and access to various state-backed benefits. Until now, a large number of such units had been operating through online platforms without any official registration or oversight. Advertisement
The policy sets a clear distinction between homestays and BnBs. Homestays are properties where the owner lives on-site, offering up to six rooms or twelve beds, while BnBs are owner-absent but require a caretaker to be present at all times, also offering up to six rooms.
Registered establishments will be eligible for a range of incentives. These include residential-rate billing for water, electricity, house and sewer taxes, rooftop solar subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and free skill training for up to eight support staff members. Units will also gain visibility through listings on the state tourism portal.
Registration is restricted to legal property owners, with leased or rented properties excluded. Only one certificate will be issued per building, covering up to six rooms or twelve beds. BnBs must include a caretaker's room, and all facilities are required to provide essentials such as electricity, water, toilets, and adequate furniture. Registrations can be revoked if safety or service standards are not met.
The application process will be conducted online, followed by document verification and inspection, with approvals expected within a month of submission. Oversight responsibilities will rest with a district-level committee chaired by the district magistrate, including representatives from the police, fire, tax, and tourism departments.
Registered establishments will be classified into silver and gold categories, depending on the quality of facilities. Silver category rooms must be at least 120 sq ft, while gold category rooms must be at least 200 sq ft, equipped with air conditioning, television, refrigerator, and attached bathrooms with geysers. Registration fees are INR 2,000 for silver units and INR 3,000 for gold units, while rural homestays and dormitories are subject to a nominal INR 100 fee. All units must install CCTV cameras and retain footage for 90 days.
The policy's mix of tax reliefs, subsidies, training, and clear categorisation of facilities demonstrates an attempt to balance tourism promotion with safety and service standards. Its impact will rely on how effectively property owners embrace registration, how well the government enforces compliance, and the extent to which tourists respond to the wider accommodation choices now becoming available.
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