CHENNAI: The cost of living in paying guest (PG) accommodations in Chennai and Tambaram has surged. Operators have raised rents by at least 35%, introducing separate food charges due to significant increases in commercial LPG prices, food costs, and operating expenses.
There are around 200 registered PGs serving men and women in the city, providing essential housing for numerous college students and young professionals. Monthly expenses have spiked, with the average rent for a three-sharing room now hitting approximately ₹11,000, up from ₹9,000. Double-sharing accommodations have also seen a price jump from ₹12,000 to nearly ₹14,000, and electricity remains an additional charge.
Many PG operators have started charging separately for accommodation and meals. Tenants now face monthly maintenance fees of ₹500-₹750, while food costs range between ₹4,500 and ₹6,500, depending on meal options chosen.
Ankit Tanawade, a 35-year-old IT professional from Pune, shared that his rent had increased dramatically this year. “I moved here three years ago paying ₹8,500 for a three-sharing room. Now it’s ₹11,500. The rent increase was typically just ₹500 annually over the past two years, but this year it jumped by ₹1,500. When we inquired, we were told to either accept the new rate or leave,” he said.
M. Roshan, a student at a private college residing in a PG near T Nagar, expressed concerns over the added financial burden. “Food was previously included in the rent, but now we pay separately. It costs us ₹3,000 for two meals daily or ₹4,500 for three. We can’t reach the owners, and the managers say the decisions are beyond their control,” he noted.
S. Pallavi, a private school teacher from Kanniyakumari staying at a Tambaram PG, reported a rent hike from ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 despite lacking basic amenities. “There were several nights last month without power, and there was no backup system. We’ve informed them that we will only pay the revised rent if they provide power backup,” she stated.
Addressing the rent hike, G. Karthik, treasurer of the Tamil Nadu PG and Hostel Owners Association, mentioned that registered PGs were advised against raising rents by more than ₹1,000. “Commercial LPG cylinders are now priced around ₹3,500, up from about ₹1,900. A PG housing around 100 tenants requires about 20 commercial cylinders each month, and the cost of provisions has seen a substantial increase. While some PGs have exceeded this recommended limit, inspections will be conducted to enforce compliance,” he confirmed.
