Cutting off or withholding essential supply or service

Cutting off or withholding essential supply or service:

1. (1) No landlord or tenant either by himself or through any person acting on his behalf shall cut off or withhold any essential supply or service in the premises occupied by the tenant or the landlord.
2. (2) If a landlord or tenant contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1), the tenant or the landlord, as the case may be, may make an application to the Rent Authority complaining of such contravention.
3. (3) If the Rent Authority is satisfied that the essential supply or service was cut off or withheld without just and sufficient cause, it shall pass an order directing the landlord or tenant to restore the forthwith essential supply or service.
4. (4) The Rent Authority may levy a charge on the defaulting landlord or the tenant which may extend to two months' rent to be paid to the tenant or the landlord, as the case may be, as compensation for the inconvenience caused by cutting off or withholding the essential supply or service.