How to use this checklist
- Tick Yes, No or Not sure for every item. Treat “Not sure” as “No” until you get proof.
- Items marked ★ are deal-breakers. A single “No” on a ★ item means: do not book until it is fixed.
- Visit at least twice: once in daylight and once after 9 pm. A PG that feels safe at noon can feel very different at night.
- Take a parent, sibling or friend along. Two pairs of eyes catch more, and it signals you are not alone.
- Photograph everything: rooms, exits, extinguishers, CCTV, agreement pages. Photos are your evidence later.
01 Before You Visit - Desk Checks
Do these from your phone first. They filter out most bad PGs in 20 minutes.
- ★ Owner / operator’s full name, phone and address obtained - not just a broker’s or app number
- Google / social media search of PG name and owner name with words like “complaint”, “fraud”, “police”
- Online reviews read - focus on recent, detailed reviews, not star ratings alone
- Rent is in line with nearby PGs (unusually cheap is a warning sign, not a bargain)
- ★ No demand for “token amount” or advance before you have physically visited
- ★ PG type confirmed: girls-only / boys-only / co-living - matches what you want
- Contact of at least one current or former resident obtained for a reference call
02 Location & Neighbourhood
Walk the route from the nearest bus stop / metro to the PG gate; ideally after dark.
◆ Linked to BhucheQ pillar: Geo-Risk & Location Safety
- ★ Approach road is well-lit at night, with no long dark or isolated stretches
- Area has normal footfall after dark (shops, residents) - not deserted
- No liquor vend, group loitering spot, vacant plot or under-construction site right next to the PG
- Police station / PCR point and a 24x7 hospital within reasonable distance (note names)
- Public transport / autos / cabs easily available till late evening
- Cab / auto can drop you right at the gate (no dark lane to walk through)
- Area not prone to waterlogging or flooding in monsoon (ask neighbours / shopkeepers)
- Safe commute time to college - ideally under 30–40 minutes
03 Building & Structural Safety
You don’t need to be an engineer - look, touch and ask. These are BhucheQ’s core checks, simplified.
◆ Linked to BhucheQ pillar: Technical/Structural and Material/Construction Quality
- ★ No major cracks in walls, beams or ceilings; no exposed / rusted iron bars
- No serious seepage, damp patches or fungus on walls and ceilings
- ★ Balcony and terrace railings are firm and at least waist height
- Terrace access is controlled (locked at night or supervised)
- Staircases are well-lit, have handrails and are not used for storage
- Lift (if any) works properly and has a recent maintenance / inspection tag
- Building does not look like it has illegal extra floors stacked on top
04 Fire & Electrical Safety
Fire is the single biggest mass-casualty risk in crowded PGs and coaching hubs.
- ★ At least two ways out of the building; exits and staircases not locked or blocked
- ★ Fire extinguishers present on each floor, and within their expiry date (check the tag)
- Smoke detectors / fire alarm installed and working
- Window grills on at least some windows have an openable emergency section
- ★ No loose, hanging or burnt wiring; switchboards not overloaded with multi-plugs
- MCB / circuit-breaker panel in place; geysers and heavy appliances properly earthed
- Kitchen gas cylinders kept in a ventilated area, away from rooms and exits
- Power backup keeps corridors, stairs and exit lights on during outages
- Owner can tell you what to do and where to go in a fire - and there is a written evacuation plan
05 Entry, Access Control & Security
Who can walk in, when, and who notices? This section decides your day-to-day safety.
- ★ Single controlled entry point; main gate locked at night
- ★ CCTV covers gate, reception, corridors and common areas - and is actually recording (ask to see the screen)
- CCTV footage stored for at least 15–30 days and access restricted
- ★ NO cameras inside rooms, bathrooms or changing areas
- Security guard present (24x7 preferred), from a known agency, with ID
- ★ Visitor register maintained; visitors must show ID and are not allowed inside rooms unsupervised
- Biometric / access-card / code entry for residents
- Clear in-time rules and a defined process for late arrival (whom you call, who opens the door)
- ★ Room door has a sturdy lock; you can add your own lock; spare keys kept securely and logged
06 Your Room - Privacy & Personal Safety
Spend five quiet minutes in the actual room you’ll get - not the ‘sample’ room.
- ★ Windows lock from inside and can’t be easily reached from outside, a parapet or a neighbour’s roof
- ★ Bathroom door locks from inside; ventilator does not open into a corridor or another room
- ★ Quick hidden-camera sweep done (see tips box below) - nothing suspicious found
- Lockable cupboard / locker for valuables, documents and laptop
- Number of roommates is as promised; roommates are students or verified working people
- Room has adequate light, ventilation and a working fan / cooler / heater
5-minute hidden-camera sweep
- Switch off the room lights and slowly scan with your phone torch - camera lenses reflect a small glint.
- Look closely at smoke detectors, wall clocks, chargers, plug adapters, photo frames, AC vents and bathroom fittings.
- Mirror test: place a fingertip on the mirror. A gap between finger and reflection is normal; touching tip-to-tip may indicate a two-way mirror - check the mounting.
- Use your phone’s Wi-Fi list / Bluetooth list to spot unfamiliar devices with camera-like names.
- Found something? Don’t touch it - photograph it, leave, and call 112.
07 Staff, Warden & Management
People are the biggest variable. A great building with an unverified cook is still a risk.
- ★ Police verification done for ALL staff - warden, guard, cook, cleaner, driver (ask to see copies)
- ★ Resident warden / manager stays on-site at night
- ★ Girls’ PG: female warden available 24x7; male staff do not enter residents’ floors, especially after hours
- Boys’ PG: clear rules on alcohol, smoking, substances and fighting - and they are enforced
- ★ Staff entry into rooms only with notice and in the resident’s presence
- Emergency numbers (warden, owner, police, ambulance, hospital) displayed in common area
- Owner responds to calls / messages promptly (test it before booking)
- ★ Formal complaint process - and a named person to escalate harassment or safety issues to
08 Health, Food & Hygiene
Food poisoning and water-borne illness are the most common PG health problems.
- Drinking water is RO / purified, and the filter is serviced regularly
- Kitchen is clean; food is cooked fresh; you have seen the kitchen yourself
- Bathrooms are clean, have running water and are adequate for the number of residents
- Regular pest control (ask when it was last done)
- First-aid kit available; tie-up with a nearby doctor / clinic for emergencies
- An ambulance can reach the gate (lane wide enough)
09 Agreement, Money & Legal
Most PG disputes are about money and deposits. Paper protects you.
◆ Linked to BhucheQ pillar: Legal & Title
- ★ Written agreement covering rent, deposit, refund timeline, notice period and what’s included
- ★ Receipt / digital record for every payment - avoid full cash payments
- ★ Owner’s ID and proof that they own or legally lease the property (ask for a copy)
- PG is registered / declared to local police or authority as required in your city
- Your own tenant / resident police verification is done (mandatory in many cities)
- No clause allowing owner / staff to enter your room without notice
- You share masked Aadhaar (last 4 digits only) - and know how your ID copies will be stored
- Rules on guests, curfew, deductions and penalties are written down, not verbal
10 Digital Safety
Shared Wi-Fi and shared spaces create new risks.
- PG Wi-Fi is password-protected (not open)
- You avoid banking / UPI on shared Wi-Fi without mobile data or a trusted VPN
- You don’t post your room number, PG name or live location publicly on social media
- PG WhatsApp group rules are respectful; personal numbers aren’t shared outside without consent
11 Talk to Current Residents - the Gold Mine
Ask privately, away from the owner or warden. Hesitation or nervous glances are answers too.
- ★ “Have you ever felt unsafe here - inside or on the way back at night?”
- ★ “Has there been any theft, harassment or fight? How did the owner handle it?”
- “Does the warden actually stay here at night? Does the guard actually sit at the gate?”
- “Do people get their deposit back on time?”
- ★ “Would you recommend this PG to your younger sister / brother?”
Walk away immediately if you see any of these
- Owner refuses to show ID, ownership papers or a written agreement.
- Pressure tactics: “Only one bed left, pay the token right now.”
- Any camera inside a room, bathroom or changing area.
- Fire exit locked, staircase blocked, or no extinguishers at all.
- No warden at night - or, in a girls’ PG, male staff freely moving on residents’ floors.
- Current residents are not allowed to talk to you, or seem afraid to.
- Owner / staff comments on your appearance, asks overly personal questions, or behaves inappropriately.
- Strong smell of alcohol or drugs in common areas, or visible substance use.
Your SafeStay Score
Any ★ item marked No or Not sure
Do not book - get it fixed in writing first, or move on.
All ★ items Yes + 80% or more of all items Yes
Good to go - proceed, keep receipts, re-check after a month.
All ★ items Yes + 60–80% of all items Yes
Proceed with caution - negotiate fixes before paying.
All ★ items Yes + below 60% of all items Yes
Keep looking - better options likely exist nearby.
After you move in - the first 30 days
- Save warden, owner, a trusted roommate and a local friend on speed-dial; share them with family.
- Share live location with a parent or friend when returning late; agree on a “reached safely” message.
- Learn both exit routes from your room - walk them once, in the dark.
- Keep originals of documents at home; carry copies. Lock valuables every time you step out.
- Note anything that changes: guard missing, CCTV off, new staff unverified. Raise it in writing.
- Trust your instinct. If something feels wrong, it usually is - speak up early.
For parents
- Meet the owner and warden in person, and save their numbers. Ask for a copy of the agreement.
- Make one unannounced visit in the first month - how the PG looks when it isn’t expecting you tells you the most.
- Keep weekly calls open-ended: ask “what’s one thing you don’t like there?” rather than “is everything okay?”
- If your child is under 18, confirm the PG accepts minors and has guardian-consent and supervision arrangements.
Save these numbers now
Emergency (Police / Fire / Ambulance)112
Police100
Ambulance108
Fire101
Women Helpline1091 / 181
Child Helpline (under 18)1098
Cyber Fraud Helpline1930
UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline1800-180-5522
Helpline availability can vary by state. Verify local numbers for your city.
About
BhucheQ
Freedom to own, without fear.
This checklist protects you for the months you rent a bed. BhucheQ protects you for the years you own a home. It is a forensic-grade property due diligence platform from InQuest Global — built by investigators, not brokers — that verifies a property before you buy, invest or lease it long-term.
4verification pillars
86verification checks
1,200+checkpoints
1. Legal & TitleIs the seller the real owner? Is the title clean, approved and free of disputes, encumbrances or hidden claims?
2. Technical & StructuralIs the building sound, approved and safe - or are there structural, fire and compliance gaps?
3. Material & Construction QualityHas it been built with the quality promised - or will problems surface after you move in?
4. Geo-Risk & Location SafetyIs the location safe - flooding, crime, environmental and neighbourhood risks?
Sections 02, 03, 04 and 09 of this checklist are simplified, do-it-yourself versions of these pillars. When the decision is bigger than a PG - buying a flat, investing in a plot, or a long-term lease - get the full BhucheQ CheQ.
Check Your Property Report Now →This checklist is general safety guidance for students and families. It does not replace legal, structural or professional advice, and requirements such as police registration vary by city and state.