To examine the feasibility of formulating a regulatory framework for families within the family: Karnataka High Court

File photo of a homestay in Kodagu. The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to examine the feasibility of formulating a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework governing the establishment, operation and supervision of host families.

The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to examine the feasibility of formulating a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework governing the establishment, operation and supervision of host families.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued the direction as he set aside the deregistration of a homestay in Kutta village of Ponnampet taluk in Kodagu district after an American citizen was allegedly sexually assaulted in April.

No warning

The court held that the district authorities had canceled the registration without issuing a notice and without complying with the provisions of the Karnataka Tourism Trade (Facilitation and Regulation) Act, 2015. The court converted the cancellation order into a notice of establishment, which allowed the petitioner, the owner of the homestay, to file a reply to the notice.

The court, meanwhile, pointed to the increasing and recurring number of disputes and petitions arising out of actions against homestays based on complaints from tourists, neighboring residents, local authorities and other stakeholders.

Nine areas

The court identified nine critical areas that require attention: fire precautions in residential buildings converted to host guests, food safety and kitchen hygiene standards, building and zoning compliance, guest safety and mandatory identity verification, consumer protection and price transparency, sanitation and waste management standards, clear delineation of responsibilities between various government departments, structured and non-arbitrary control mechanism, etc.

Small family houses

It may also be necessary to distinguish between small family establishments and larger commercial establishments operated under the family-within-a-family nomenclature, as regulatory requirements should be commensurate with the scale and nature of operations to avoid overburdening actual small operators while ensuring adequate oversight of larger establishments that cater to significant numbers of guests, the court said.

In the absence of a co-ordinated framework, the court said, homestay operators are often uncertain about the approvals required and the authority responsible for granting them, while enforcement agencies can take patchy approaches.

The Court emphasized that a consolidated regulatory framework would facilitate compliance and improve administrative efficiency.

Published – 18 Jun 2026 0:15 AM IST