Landlord not to interfere with amenities enjoyed by the tenant

(1) No landlord shall without just or sufficient cause, cut off or withhold or cause to be cut off or withheld any of the amenities enjoyed by the tenant or were in existence during the previous tenancy. (2) A tenant in occupation of a building may, if the landlord has contravened the provisions of this section, make an application to the Controller complaining of such contravention. (3) If the tenant satisfied the Controller that the amenities were cut off or withheld or caused to be cut off or withheld the Controller may pass an interim order, directing the landlord to restore the amenities immediately, pending the enquiry referred to in sub-section (4). Provided that if the amenities are not restored within seven days from the date of the interim order, the Controller may permit the tenant to restore the amenities at his own cost and recover the cost of the expense incurred by the tenant in respect of restoration of such amenities from the rent payable to the landlord in such monthly instalments as may be specified by the Controller. Explanation. – An interim order may be passed under this sub-section without giving notice to the landlord. (4) If the Controller on enquiry finds that the tenant has been in enjoyment of the amenities or that the amenities were in existence during the previous tenancy and that they were cut off or withheld by the landlord without just or sufficient cause or if the landlord was in any way responsible for the amenities being cut off or withheld, he shall make an order directing the landlord to restore such amenities. (5) The Controller may, in his discretion, direct that compensation not exceeding Rs. 50 -- (a) be paid to the landlord by the tenant, if the application under sub-section (2) was made frivolously or vexatiously; (b) be paid to the tenant by the landlord, if the landlord had cut off or withheld the amenities or was in any way responsible for the amenities being cut off or withheld frivolously and vexatiously. Explanation. – In this section, the expression “amenities” includes supply of water, electricity, passages, staircases, lights, lavatories, lifts, and conservancy or sanitary services.