DARJEELING HOMESTAY PROPERTY WALKTHROUGH
Companion: https://rudraleela.in/resources/how-to-start-a-homestay-in-darjeeling
Sources checked: 1 October 2026. Property questions, not an approval.

1. FIND THE HOUSEHOLD AND HILL BASE
[ ] Confirm owner/family physically reside at the proposed homestay
[ ] Keep tourist use within one to six rooms and twelve beds under 2022 policy
[ ] Establish exact address, municipal/local-body status and plot rights
[ ] State honestly whether the base is Mall-side, a road-accessible hill home or tea-edge
[ ] Do not claim a toy-train view or tea-estate access without the property's evidence

2. WALK WITH A SUITCASE
[ ] Find legal vehicle stop and check stairs, gradient and handrails to the guest room
[ ] Repeat at night and after rain; log lighting, slipperiness and porter need
[ ] Verify water storage, hot water, heating, power and medical/vehicle access
[ ] Explain any unavoidable steps before booking, not after arrival

3. VERIFY BUILDING AND FILING
[ ] Compare sanctioned plan, actual storeys, retaining walls and roof with proposed use
[ ] Seek local hill-area building advice before changing load or adding floors
[ ] Check title and any lease/estate rights independently
[ ] Use current West Bengal Tourism 2022 policy, not the 2026 draft as final law
[ ] Check the Tourism portal's manual application notice and district filing route
[ ] Keep inspection and certificate records; do not invent an online approval

4. CHECK THE NUMBERS
[ ] Price ordinary weekdays separately from holiday and clear-weather peaks
[ ] Include water, heating, transport/porter help, slope repairs and staff cover
[ ] Confirm guest transfers rather than assuming every railway service is running
[ ] Keep a plan for rain, visibility and sudden route changes

Official starting sources: West Bengal Homestay Policy 2022, Tourism portal/draft listing, Darjeeling district tourism and Himalayan Railway, municipal building rules. Follow the guide links.