How to register a homestay in Himachal Pradesh

Who Can Register a Homestay?

• You must own the house (your name should be on the land papers).
• The house should be strong and not broken or old and unsafe.
• You can have up to 6 rooms (maximum 12 beds).
• Each room should preferably have its own attached bathroom. In villages, a separate bathroom is sometimes allowed.
• You can also have up to 3 family rooms (with 4 beds each), but total beds cannot go above 12.
• If your house is a flat in a building, you need permission from the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA).
• You need a paper saying the house is strong (Structure Stability Certificate from a registered engineer).

Anyone who owns a good private house in Himachal can apply. Preference is given to people who are from Himachal (bonafide Himachali).

Three Types of Homestays (Categories)

The government puts your homestay in one of three groups based on how much rent you charge for one room per night:

The officer will finally decide your category after checking your house.

Note:

• Silver category gets domestic (home) electricity and water rates.
• Gold and Diamond get commercial rates and need GST number.

Registration Fees (Yearly)

Fees depend on your category and where your house is (city, town planning area, or village).

Approximate yearly fees:

Discounts:

• Pay for 3 years together → 10% less.
• Woman owner → extra 5% discount.
• Homestays in remote Pangi area → 50% discount.

You can choose registration for 1 year or 3 years.

Documents You Need

Keep these ready (scanned copies for online upload):

1. Application form (filled online).
2. Land papers – Jamabandi and Tatima (revenue records).
3. Structure Stability Certificate.
4. Affidavit under Section 29 of the Tourism Act.
5. Undertaking on stamp paper (Form-C).
6. Police Verification Certificate.
7. Photos of the house, rooms, and bathrooms.
8. Guest register and bill book (for checking).
9. RWA NOC (only if it is a flat).
10. Proof of ownership and any co-owner permission if needed.

(The tourism officer will also make an inspection report.)

Step-by-Step Process to Register

1. Prepare your house Clean everything. Put fire extinguisher. Install CCTV camera in common areas (entrance, lobby). Make sure rooms meet size rules (roughly 100–120 sq ft for bedrooms).
2. Go to the official website Open: https://homestay.hp.gov.in/ This is the new government portal launched in February 2026.
3. Login You will need HimAccess account (Himachal government’s single login system). Create one if you do not have it (using Aadhaar).
4. Fill the form Give details of your house, number of rooms, facilities, and the rent you plan to charge.
5. Upload documents and pay the fee online.
6. Wait for inspection A tourism officer will visit your house to check cleanliness, safety, and facilities.
7. Get the certificate If everything is fine, you get the registration certificate within 60 days. It is valid for 1 or 3 years.

You can track your application status on the same website using application number, Aadhaar, or phone number.

Important Rules After Registration

• Keep a guest register and give proper bills.
• Report foreign tourists to the local police (as required by law).
• Serve clean food. Try to give local Himachali food.
• Keep the house clean and safe at all times.
• Display your registration certificate.
• You do not have to live in the house yourself, but it should feel like a real home.
• Renew the registration before it expires.

Useful Official Links

• Homestay Registration Portal: https://homestay.hp.gov.in/
• Himachal Tourism official website: https://himachaltourism.gov.in/
• HimAccess (for login): Search “HimAccess” or go to the official Himachal SSO portal.

Final Tips

• Do not start taking guests before you get the certificate.
• Keep all papers safe.
• If you have any doubt, visit the nearest District Tourism Development Officer (DTDO) office.
• Rules can get small updates, so always check the official portal for the latest information.

Registering your homestay is now much easier than before. Follow these simple steps, keep your house clean and safe, and you can welcome happy tourists to beautiful Himachal!