According to my opinion 194I is not applicable in this case since we are not paying for the use of Building i.e payment made is not rental nature. However,we are taking composite service including food, housekeeping etc.
Garima Ji, am also thinking same. we are hiring Boarding n Lodging on need basis only and not for a monthly basis. Some months we are hiring 7 days, sometimes we are hiring 57 days.
Where earmarked rooms are let out for a specified rate or period, they would be construed as accommodation made available on regular basis and would be termed as rent. Even if the rooms are not earmarked but hotel has legal obligation to provide such rooms would also be in form of rent.
However, there are few instances where corporate employers etc enter into agreements with hotels just to fix the room tariffs of hotel rooms for their people. Such agreements are in the nature of rate contract agreements. In this case, it cannot be said to be accommodation on regular basis and accordingly TDS under section 194I shall not apply in this case.