Comparative Analysis - PG vs. Flat
Tanaya Mohanta
Published on 2/13/2025
This blog provides a comprehensive comparison between Paying Guest (PG) accommodations and flats in Delhi. It covers key factors like cost, freedom, privacy, amenities, location, safety, flexibility, and maintenance. Whether you're a student or a professional, this guide will help you determine the best living arrangement for your needs and preferences in Delhi.
\n \n While\n considering the accommodation options available in Delhi, there comes a very\n pivotal question: the choice between a paying guest and a flat. Of course,\n these options have their pros and cons, too. The following is an elaborated\n comparison that will help you make your decision.
Table Of Contents:-
\n \n
Different Types Of Accommodation\n Available
\n\n
1. Hostels:\n These are normally within college premises and will offer a much-needed\n disciplined atmosphere, but there will usually not be any guarantee on vacancy.\n Many people tend to misrepresent PGs as hostels, but the actual hostels come\n only within the colleges.
2. PGs\n (Paying Guest accommodations): These are private accommodations where you can\n get single, double, or triple sharing rooms; you will have facilitation in the\n form of meals, laundry, security, and so on.
3. Rooms:\n You may get single or a double depending upon your choice in someone's house\n for rent.
4. Flats:\n 1BHK to 3BHK apartments that provide comparatively more independent living.
Cost
\n\n
PG
\n\n- Rent: The\n rent would come around ₹10,000 to ₹17,000 per month for a single bed in a\n shared room. This price generally includes facilities like board, laundry, and\n security.
- Added\n Expenses: Minimal, as almost all services and utilities are included under one\n roof.
\n\n
Flat
\n\n- Rent: A\n 2BHK flat would range from ₹ 15,000 to ₹ 30,000 per month according to the\n location. The rent for a single room in a shared flat would come to about ₹\n 8,000 to ₹ 15,000 per month.
- Added\n Expenses: These include utilities such as electricity, water, internet,\n maintenance, and often furnishing of the flat. You may also have to pay extra\n for cooking or cleaning services if needed.
\n\nFreedom And Privacy
\n\n
PG
\n\n- Freedom:\n Restricted because of rules and regulations as per the PG owner. Restrictions on visitors, curfew\n timings, and usage of common areas are common.
\n\n
- Privacy:\n There is less privacy when you are sharing your living spaces, which include\n rooms and baths.
\n\n
Flat
\n\n- Freedom: More\n freedom with lesser restrictions on visitors and timings. You have more control\n over your living environment.
- Privacy:\n More private, especially if you have your own room or are sharing with fewer\n people.
Amenities And Services
\n\n
PG
\n\n- Included:\n Board, laundry, cleaning, tuition, security, and sometimes Wi-Fi
\n\n- Convenience:\n High, as all is arranged by the PG management.
\n\n
Flats
\n\n- Included:\n Basic facilities like Water and Electricity will be available but no meal and\n cleaning facilities are provided usually.
\n\n- Convenience:\n More efforts to manage household chores or to hire help for cleaning and\n cooking is required.
\n\n
Location
\n\n
PG
\n\n- Proximity:\n Almost always located next to colleges and universities or commercial centers,\n making it very convenient for a working professional or a student.
\n\n
Flat
\n\n- Proximity:\n All over. The ones with locations close to work places or study places are\n obviously very expensive.
Safety And Security
\n\n
PG
\n\n- Security:\n Many have security guards and CCTVs.
\n\n- Safety:\n Much better, with coworkers and people at management level who keep an eye on\n everything.
\n\n
Flat
\n\n- Security:\n Depends on the building. Gated communities and apartment complexes offer more\n security as compared to standalone buildings.
\n\n- Safety:\n Depends on the locality and flat type.
\n\nFlexibility
\n\n
PG
\n\n- Flexibility:\n Usually offers short-term leases of months or quarters, making it easier to\n move in and out.
\n\n
Flat
\n\n- Flexibility:\n Requires a longer lease of, say, 6 months to 1 year more paperwork, and deposit\n money.
\n\nMaintenance And Repairs
\n\n
PG
\n\n- Responsibility:\n The PG owner is responsible. You complain, and they get it repaired.
\n\n
Flat
\n\n- Responsibility:\n By tenant itself; unless specifically mentioned in the lease agreement\n regarding maintenance and repairs.
Hostel Overview
\n\nTaking\n Hansraj College to be an example, considering that college has an approximate\n population of 5000 students, I think only 250 are accommodated in the hostel.\n The competition is therefore obvious; most students will have to find PGs, and\n rooms or flats. Also, hostel allotments vary from college to college, and\n normally, direct allotments based on marks and sometimes interview come into\n the picture. At St. Stephen's College, while filling up the admission form\n itself, one can mark their requirement for residence.
\n\n
Charges\n and Rules of Hostel
\n\nThe hostel fees of the DU charges vary from ₹\n 60,000 to ₹ 1,40,000 per year depending on colleges. There are a lot of\n facilities included in this price, such as facilities and security during a\n mishappening. Customs and traditions are usually restricted in hostels,\n especially in girls' hostels, with more strict entry and exit timings compared\n to boys' hostels.
\n\n
Comparing Options
\n\n
PGs
PGs can be\n found near every college of DU with their cost dependent on locations. This\n could be in the range of ₹10,000 a month even for a single bed in a double\n sharing room in the prime areas of North Campus. It might be more expensive in\n South Campus. Of course, further away from the main campus, cheaper options are\n available. Boys' PGs are slightly cheaper than girls' PGs. Following that, you\n can also find PGs without food services to save money by arranging food\n separately.
\n\n
Rooms And Flats
Private\n rooms can be availed directly or through brokers, and a decent single can cost\n as much as ₹8,000; prices go higher in cases of highly luxurious ones.\n Flat-sharing would be oriented toward groups of friends in which case sharing\n would serve to make the expenses bearable. This is an option where students\n want a little freedom, and sharing a flat will cut down on costs. Flats range\n from 2BHKs to 3BHKs.
\n\n
Choosing The Right Option
\n\n
1. Hostels:\n Suits a person who wants a balanced option with good amenities and security\n with comparatively lower monthly costs, although the competition is high.
2. PGs: Will\n suit those seeking more independence and able to afford a bit more. They have\n food and security available, but rules—particularly with girls—are tighter.
3. Rooms:\n Best for those who wish to be far from campus and yet remain as low-budget as\n possible. It could further trim expense if food can also be arranged outside of\n their bundle.
4. Flats: If\n there is a group interested in living with friends, it would be an ideal\n choice, as the rent can be shared between them. They offer maximum freedom to\n the occupants but require the maximum arrangement regarding food, cleaning,\n etc.
Conclusion
Best For Your Needs
\n\n
Choose a PG\n if
· \n You\n prefer the ease of having meals, other services included
\n\n· \n You\n are a student or a young professional looking for a social atmosphere
\n\n· \n You\n have short-term requirements with minimum hassle for accommodation
\n\n
Opt for Flat\n if
· \n Privacy\n and freedom are dear to you
\n\n· \n You\n are going to stay for a longer period and want to get your living space\n arranged according to your will
\n\n· \n You\n are ready to burden all household chores or manage a help for them.
\n\n
First,\n assess your priorities, budget, and lifestyle preference to make the best\n decision regarding your accommodation needs in Delhi. From paying guests to\n flats, Delhi caters to all needs with its availability of options in great\n variety.
Check Out Our Official Insta Handle - https://www.instagram.com/dustudenthelper/
Join us again for more exclusive content and expert guidance—only on DU Student Helper - Your Ultimate Study Companion!
Tags
Share this article
Subscribe to Newsletter
Get the latest updates and resources delivered to your inbox.