CHENNAI: Students and working professionals residing in hostels and paying guest (PG) accommodations across Tamil Nadu may face a rent increase of about 10%. This hike is attributed to rising prices in commercial LPG cylinders and soaring cooking costs.
The Tamil Nadu IT Hostel & PG Owners Welfare Association has announced that the new rental rates will be effective from May 5.
Monthly rates for non-AC accommodations have been adjusted to 6,500-7,500 for four-sharing rooms, 7,000-8,000 for three-sharing, and 8,000-9,000 for two-sharing rooms. Operators noted that these are baseline rates and could fluctuate based on location and amenities.
A. Seetharaman, president of the association, highlighted that after unrest in West Asia earlier this year, the price of a 19kg commercial LPG cylinder surged from ₹1,899 in February to ₹3,258 in May. However, cylinders are often only available on the black market for ₹6,000-7,000.
“We had to switch to firewood and absorb the extra costs for four months, but that is no longer manageable as firewood prices have also risen,” he remarked.
The association estimates that over 20,000 hostels in Tamil Nadu accommodate nearly 20 lakh individuals, including around 15,000 hostels in Chennai, which house about 12 lakh residents.
Several operators have already reduced food services. “We have stopped serving chapatis and dosas as they require more fuel,” stated G. Karthick, treasurer of the association.
Residents are already feeling the pinch. “We were informed just days ago that our PG would no longer provide meals. Eating out is costly, so we’re relying on ready-to-eat meals,” shared R. Surya, a student living in Tambaram.
Some establishments have also raised maintenance fees. “My PG has increased the maintenance fee by ₹250. I’m uncertain how long I can manage this,” noted S. Anand, a private sector employee from Choolaimedu.
