After AMC's PG Sealing Drive: 7 Compliance Checks

Most PG searches start with the same questions. Food kaisa hai? AC hai? Rent kitna?

In February 2026, hundreds of students and working professionals in Ahmedabad learned there's a more important question: will this PG still be open next month?

When AMC sealed PGs across western Ahmedabad, several residents said they were evicted suddenly with their belongings locked inside, and nearly 100 students and PG operators ended up staying overnight at the AMC North West Zone office in protest (DeshGujarat).

This guide explains what happened, what the rules require now, and the 7 things to check before you pay a deposit anywhere.

What Happened: AMC's 2026 Crackdown on Unauthorised PGs

AMC sealed around 65 PG units in the North West Zone, mainly in Vastrapur, Gota, Bodakdev (Premchand Nagar) and Chandlodia. In the Premchand Nagar area alone, 33 houses were sealed for running without housing society permission and without Fire NOCs. Officials said operators had already been warned to get Building Use (BU) permission.

Some owners got their properties back, but only after meeting conditions. AMC unsealed 8 of 20 Bodakdev properties after the owners gave a written undertaking and paid administrative charges, with the action taken under Section 478 of the GPMC Act (DeshGujarat).

Residents paid for the paperwork gap. Most of them had no idea their PG wasn't compliant.

What the Gujarat High Court and AMC SOP Now Require

Three developments shaped today's rules:

Justice Mauna Bhatt made it clear that no PG or homestay can run in a residential society without proper registration and approval, and directed the state and AMC to publicise the rules widely (DeshGujarat). The court also rejected the "homestay" workaround: under the homestay policy, the owner must live on the premises and host guests only for short stays.

The SOP's key conditions, as reported by DeshGujarat (full details):

• Hostel use allowed only on plots facing a road at least 9 m (30 ft) wide
• Parking for hostels equal to 20% of total utilised FSI, inside the premises
• Fire safety compliance and an NOC from Fire and Emergency Services
• Society NOC if the property is in a co-operative housing society
• NOC from the police department
• Operation only after BU permission or a regularisation certificate
• Unauthorised operators had 30 days to apply for permission or regularisation

More than 131 PG owners challenged the SOP in the High Court, then withdrew the petition after AMC assured them of a hearing in cases where a society refuses the NOC (Gujarat Samachar).

Check 1: Society NOC

If the PG is inside a housing society, ask to see the society's NOC. It should be on society letterhead, dated and signed by an office-bearer.

Red flag:"Society ko sab pata hai, koi problem nahi." Verbal approval won't protect you when a neighbour complains to AMC.

Check 2: Building Use (BU) Permission

Ask for the AMC BU permission or regularisation certificate that covers hostel or PG use. A property tax bill or a builder's brochure doesn't count.

Red flag: "Application pending hai." That means the PG is running before it's allowed to.

Check 3: Fire NOC or Fire Safety Certificate

Gujarat's Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2013 was extended to all municipal corporation areas, including Ahmedabad, through an October 2020 notification. Approvals and renewals run through the state's Gujarat Fire Safety Compliance Portal, which handles fire safety applications online.

Ask to see the certificate and check two things: the property address matches and the validity date hasn't passed.

Check 4: Emergency Exits and Fire Readiness

Paper is one part. Walk the building and check:

Check 5: Police Verification of Residents

A compliant PG will ask for your ID and submit your details to the police. That's for your protection too: it proves you lived there legally.

Gujarat's Home Department offers online tenant registration for houses, flats and shops through the Citizen Portal. In many cities, police register cases under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against owners who skip tenant verification orders.

Red flag: A PG that never asks for your documents.

Check 6: A Written Agreement

A proper agreement protects you if something goes wrong. Make sure it states:

• Monthly rent and what it includes
• Lock-in and notice period
• What happens if the PG is closed by authorities: a pro-rata refund of advance rent and the full deposit
• Timeline for the deposit refund after you leave

Deposit disputes are already common in Ahmedabad. Our post on why PG owners don't return deposits shows how they usually start.

Check 7: Clear Refund Terms and Payment Proof

Pay only through UPI or bank transfer, and ask for a receipt every month. A cash-only PG leaves you with nothing to prove what you paid if it gets sealed.

What Residents Lost When PGs Were Sealed Overnight

If this ever happens to you, read what to do if your PG closes unexpectedly.

How to Ask a PG Owner for Proof Without Awkwardness

Most people skip these checks because asking feels rude. It isn't. A compliant owner is usually happy to show documents, because it sets them apart.

Scripts that work:

• "My parents asked me to see the society NOC and Fire NOC before booking. Can I see them during the visit?"
• "After the AMC sealing news, I'm only booking PGs with BU permission. Do you have it for hostel use?"
• "Can the agreement mention the refund if the PG has to close?"

If the owner gets defensive or says "sab log aise hi rehte hain," that's your answer. Our Ahmedabad PG guide to avoid scams has more warning signs.

BLISS COMPLIANCE BLOCK: insert only after client confirmation. The heading, paragraph and table below go live only once society NOC, Fire NOC and BU permission are confirmed for all five properties.

Compliance at Bliss Homes

All five Bliss Homes properties hold society NOC, Fire NOC and BU permission. Ask to see the documents during your visit. We'd rather you check than take our word for it.

FAQs

Why were PGs sealed in Ahmedabad in 2026?

In February 2026, AMC sealed around 65 PG units in the North West Zone because operators could not show mandatory documents such as housing society permission, Fire NOC and Building Use permission.

Is a society NOC mandatory for a PG in Ahmedabad?

Yes. Under AMC's July 2025 SOP, a PG inside a co-operative housing society needs an NOC from that society, along with fire, police and AMC use permissions.

How can I check if a PG has a Fire NOC?

Ask the owner to show the fire safety certificate and check that the address matches and the validity date hasn't passed. Approvals and renewals in Gujarat are handled through the state's fire safety compliance portal.

What should I do if my PG gets sealed?

Keep your payment receipts and agreement, ask the operator in writing for a refund of advance rent and deposit, and coordinate with the operator and the AMC zonal office to get access to your belongings.

Book a PG you won't have to leave overnight. Ask for compliance documents at every visit, including ours. Enquire here.