The Sikkim Registration of Home Stay Establishment Rule 3 specifies a number of eligibility criteria for registering a home stay. I have divided these criteria in three sub heads for the convenience of the readers.
About Host
- The home stay owner should own both the home stay unit and the land on which the unit is constructed.
- Both a family and an individual are eligible to register a home stay unit. (Rule 3.1)
- The home stay promoter or owner along with the family shall reside physically in the same establishment. (Rule 3.2)
- One family member should have communication skills in Hindi or English. (Rule 3.4)
About Home Stay Unit
Each home stay unit shall satisfy the following conditions:
- Located in rural or urban areas (Rule 3.1)
- Well maintained (Rule 3.1)
- Features 1 to 5 exclusive rooms for tourists. (Rule 3.1)
- Meets basic minimum infrastructure standards. (Rule 3.1)
- Ensures quality basic services. (Rule 3.1)
- Built in ethnic and traditional architecture style. (Rule 3.3)
- Preference will be given to the structures made of locally available bamboo, stone, and wood. (Rule 3.3)
- Tourist rooms can also be in a separate premises that is located near the owner’s residence provided these are in convenient location. (Rule 3.8)
- A well-kept footpath should connect the road head and the establishment. (Rule 3.7)
About Rooms
- Reasonably furnished room (s) of standard size with attached toilet (Rule 3.5)
- The room is ready for renting to the visitors. (Rule 3.5)
Rule
Type of Room
Area in Square Feet / Number of Rooms
Rule 3.5
Double Bed Room
150
Rule 3.5
Single Bed Room
100
Rule 3.5
Bathroom/Toilet
30
Rule 3.6
Minimum Rooms with attached toilets for rent
1
Rule 3.6
Maximum Rooms with attached toilets for rent
5
- If the establishment features more than five rooms for visitors, it will be called village lodge. (Rule 3.9)
- Who will decide maximum number of rooms to be earmarked for the visitors in a community or cluster home stay area (s)? Panchayats, the local bodies, have privilege to decide the maximum number of rooms to be allocated for the visitors. (Rule 3.9)
- The rooms or houses that are already rented out or leased cannot be registered as home stay unit in Sikkim. (Rule 3.6)