Landlord not to interfere with amenities enjoyed by the tenant

(1) No landlord shall, without just or sufficient cause, cut off or withhold any of the amenities enjoyed by the tenant.

(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 satisfies the Controller that the amenities were cut off or withheld without just or sufficient cause, the Controller may pass an interim order, directing the landlord, to restore the amenities immediately, pending the inquiry referred to in sub-section (4).

Explanation.- An interim order may be passed under this sub-section without giving notice to the landlord.

(4) If the Controller on inquiry finds that the tenant has been in enjoyment of the amenities and that they were cut off or withheld by the landlord without just or sufficient cause, he shall make an order directing the landlord to restore such amenities.

(5) If any of the amenities enjoyed by the tenant are stopped by any person other than the landlord by reason of the landlord’s failure to pay taxes or other charges, the tenant may pay such taxes or other charges and have the amenities restored and deduct from the rent the amounts so paid by him towards such taxes or other charges.

(6) 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 has cut off or withheld the amenities frivolously or vexatiously.

Explanation.- In this section the expression ‘amenities’ include supply of water, electricity, passages, staircases, light, lavatories, lifts and conservancy or sanitary services.