Chandigarh: Already booming in the city, bed and breakfast (B&B) facilities are set to get a formal legal framework, with the Chandigarh administration preparing to notify the Bed & Breakfast Policy 2026.At present, several national and international online platforms offer accommodation in the city ranging from affordable single rooms to luxury farmhouses for tourists and travellers.Chandigarh had first introduced a B&B scheme in 2008, but withdrew it the following year due to widespread violations. In several cases, residential houses were converted into mini hotels, flouting the scheme’s basic norms.This time, the administration plans to roll out a tightly regulated framework with clearly spelt-out dos and don’ts. In its draft BnB policy, released for public comments, it maintains that the owner of the establishment shall not maintain a front office and the entire house should appear like a normal residential house. It must not carry out or allow any commercial activity of tours and travel, sight-seeing, transport, handicrafts, cloud kitchen, dine-in food facility to other than the residing guests or any other similar activity in or from the establishment. It must not indulge in or allow any such activity that adversely affects the privacy and rights of the neighbours and residents of the locality. It must not make misrepresentation to any person in respect of the establishment and not indulge in any kind of touting activity.The prescribed authority will have the power to revoke registration if the owner is convicted of an offence punishable with imprisonment exceeding one month, declared an undischarged insolvent, violates any provision of the policy or related rules, or if the establishment adversely affects neighbouring residents. Such action will not prevent prosecution under this or any other applicable law.Importantly, registered B&B establishments will continue to be treated as residential units, and will be charged electricity and water tariffs applicable to domestic use, along with property tax as applicable to residential or residential-tenanted premises.The policy lays down a graded penalty structure. Failure to provide promised services to guests can attract a fine of up to Rs 5,000. Furnishing false or misleading information during registration may lead to a fine of up to Rs 10,000, immediate cancellation of registration and reporting to police authorities. Illegally lending, transferring or failing to surrender the registration certificate upon expiry or cancellation can draw a penalty of up to Rs 20,000, along with cancellation and possible legal action.Homeowners intending to rent out their residential premises as B&B units will be required to apply for registration in a prescribed format and pay the stipulated fee.The policy also provides for the constitution of a classification committee to inspect and evaluate establishments. Adequate parking arrangements, either within the premises or in the immediate vicinity, will be mandatory.
