Ahmedabad: The rise in the number of Paying Guest (PG) accommodations in residential societies across the city has been triggering numerous conflicts, with homeowners clashing over how flats are being used, or misused. In a development that could impact many such cases, the matter has now reached the Gujarat High Court.

On Monday, Justice Mauna Bhatt directed the state government and the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to widely publicize rules related to PGs and homestays. The directive comes after residents of Skylark Apartment near Shivranjani crossroads alleged that a flat owner was operating an unauthorized PG. Following this, the AMC sealed the flat on June 11, prompting a court case.

During the hearing, Justice Bhatt made it clear that no PG or homestay can operate in a residential society without proper registration and approval. “The petitioners cannot be permitted to run the business through illegal use of the premises,” stated Justice Bhatt.

The dispute arose at Skylark Apartment after a flat owner rented out two units, which tenants allegedly converted into a PG accommodation housing eight people. The housing society raised objections and, after police inaction, approached the AMC, which issued a notice. The owner claimed the flats were used as a “Home Stay” under Gujarat’s tourism policy but applied for registration only on June 7. The High Court ordered the temporary unsealing of the flats on June 13. However, AMC later found that the setup violated policy rules, as the owner did not reside on-site. With evidence of active PG operations, the state government rejected the registration request.

Now, the court has allowed the petitioner to file a rejoinder, with the next hearing set for June 24. Legal experts believe the court’s instruction to the government and AMC to make PG and homestay regulations more visible could provide much-needed clarity and relief to residential societies facing similar challenges. DeshGujarat