Delhi Rent Control Act
Preamble
Introduction
1. Short title, extent and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Act not to apply to certain premises
Chapter II -
4. Rent in excess of standard rent not recoverable
5. Unlawful changes not to be claimed or received
6. Standard rent
6A. (Note: Ins. by Act 57 of w.e.f 1988, sec.4 (1-12-1988) Revision of rent.
7. Lawful increase of standard rent in certain cases and recovery of other charges
8. Notice of increase of rent
9. Controller to fix standard rent, etc
10. Fixation of interim rent
11. Limitation of liability of middlemen
12. Limitation for application for fixation of standard rent
13. Refund of rent, premium, etc., not recoverable under the Act
Chapter III -
14. Protection of tenant against eviction
14A. Right to recover immediate possession of premises to accrue to certain persons
14B. Right to recover immediate possession of premises to accrue to members of the armed forces, etc
14C. Right to recover immediate possession of premises to accrue to Central Government and Delhi Administration employees
14D. Right to recover immediate possession of premises to accrue to a widow
15. When a tenant can get the benefit of protection against eviction
16. Restrictions on sub-letting
17. Notice of creation and termination of sub-tenancy
18. Sub-tenant to be tenant in certain cases
19. Recovery of possession for occupation and re-entry
20. Recovery of possession for repairs and re-building and re-entry
21. Recovery of possession in case of tenancies for limited period
22. Special provision for recovery of possession in certain cases
23. Permission to construct additional structures
24. Special provision regarding vacant building sites
25. Vacant possession to landlord
Chapter III A -
25A. Provisions of this Chapter to have overriding effect
25B. Special procedure for the disposal of applications for eviction on the ground of bona fide requirement
25C. Act to have effect in a modified form in relation to certain persons
Chapter IV -
26. Receipt to be given for rent paid
27. Deposit of rent by the tenant
28. Time limit of making deposit and consequences of incorrect particulars is application for deposit
29. Saving as to acceptance of rent forfeiture of rent in deposit
Chapter V -
30. Application of the Chapter
31. Fixing of fair rate
32. Revision of fair rate
33. Charges in excess of fair rate not recoverable
34. Recovery of possession by manager or a hotel or the owner of a lodging house
Chapter VI -
35. Appointment of Controllers and Additional Controllers
36. Powers of Controller
37. Procedure to be followed by Controller
38. Appeal to the Tribunal
38A. Additional Rent Control Tribunals
38B. Power of High Court to transfer appeals, etc
39. Section 39 omitted by Act 57 of 1988, sec.17 1-12-1988)
40. Amendment of orders
41. Controller to exercise powers of a magistrate for recovery of fine
42. Controller to exercise powers of civil court for execution of other orders
43. Finality of order
Chapter VII -
44. Landlords duty to keep the premises in good repair
45. Cutting off or withholding essential supply or service
46. Landlord's duty to give notice of new construction to Government
47. Leases of vacant premises to Government
48. Penalties
49. Cognizance of offences
Chapter VIII -
50. Jurisdiction of civil courts barred in respect of certain matters
51. Controllers to be public servants
52. Protection of action taken in good faith
53. Amendment of the Delhi Tenants Temporary Protection Act, 1956
54. Saving of operation of certain enactment's
55. Special provisions regarding decrees affected by the Delhi Tenants (Temporary Protection) Act, 1956
56. Power to makes rules
57. Repeal and saving
Schedules. The First Schedule
The Second Schedule
The Third Schedule
Rules. Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Preamble
An Act to provide for the control of rents and
evictions and of rates of hotels and lodging houses, and for the lease of vacant
premises to Government, in certain areas in the Union territory of Delhi.
Be it enacted by Parliament in the Ninth Year
of the
Introduction
Most of the persons living in urban areas are
somehow directly or indirectly affected by the law of rent control which is
provincial in nature and it differs from State to State, The law which was
applicable to Delhi was Delhi and Ajmer Rent Control
Act, 1952 (38 of 1952). During the course of its applicability many
difficulties were being faced and it was considered necessary to enact a
comprehensive law for
Act 59 of 1958
The Delhi Rent Control Bill having been passed
by both the Houses of Parliament received the assent of the President on
List of Amending Acts
1. The Repealing and Amending Act, 1960 (58 of
1960).
2. The
3. The
4. The
5. The
1. Short title, extent and commencement
(1) This Act may be called the Delhi Rent
Control Act, 1958.
(2) It extends to the areas included within
the limits of the New Delhi Municipal Committee and the Delhi Cantonment Board
and to such urban areas within the limits of the Municipal Corporation of
Provided that the Central Government; may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, extend this Act or any provision thereof,
to any other urban area included within the limits of the Municipal Corporation
of Delhi of exclude any are from the operation of this Act or any provision
thereof
(3) It shall come into force on such date (Note: Came into force on 9-2-1959, vide S.O. 269, dated 31st January, 1959, published in the Gazette of India, Pt. II, Sec.3 (ii), p.331) as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Definitions
In this Act, unless the context otherwise
requires-
(A) Basic rent", in relation to premises
let out before the 2nd day of June, 1944, means the basic rent of such premises
as determined in accordance with the provisions of the Second Schedule;
(b) "Controller" means a Controller
appointed under sub-section (1) of section 35 and includes an additional
Controller appointed under sub-section (2) of that section;
(c) "Fair rate" means the fair rate
fixed under section 31 and includes the rate as revised under section 32;
(d) "Hotel or lodging house" means a
building or part of a building where lodging with or without board or other
services is provided for a monetary consideration;
(e) "Landlord" means a person who,
for the time being is receiving, or is entitled to receive, the rent of any
premises, whether on his own account or on account of or on behalf of, or for
the benefit of, any other person or as a trustee, guardian or receiver for any
other person or who would so receive the rent to be entitled to receive the
rent, if the premises were let to a tenant;
(f) "Lawful increase" means an
increase in rent permitted under the provisions of this Act;
(g) "Manager of a hotel" includes
any person in charge of the management of the hotel;
(h) "Owner of a lodging house" means
a person who receives or is entitled to receive whether on this own account or
on behalf of himself and others or as an agent or a trustee for any other
person, any monetary consideration from any person on account of board, and
lodging or other services provided in the lodging house;
(i)
"premises" means any building or part of a building which is, or is
intended to be, let separately for use as a residence or for commercial use or
for any other purpose, and includes.-
(i)
the garden, grounds and outhouses, if any, appertaining to such building or part
of the building;
(ii) any furniture
supplied by the landlord for use in such building or par of the building;
but does not include a
room in a hotel or lodging house;
(j) "prescribed" means prescribed by
rules made under this Act;
(k) "standard rent", in relation to
any premises, means the standard rent referred to in section 6 or where the
standard rent has been increased under section 7, such increased rent;
[(l) (Note: Subs. by Act 18 of 1976, sec.2,
for clause (1) (w.r.e.f. 1-12-1975))
"tenant" means any person by whom or on whose account or behalf the
rent of any premises is, or, but for a special contract, would be, payable, and
includes-
(i)
a sub-tenant;
(ii) any person continuing in possession after the termination of his tenancy; and
(iii) in the event of
the death of the person continuing in possession after the termination of his
tenancy, subject to the order of succession and to this clause, such of the
aforesaid person�s-
(a) spouse,
(b) son or daughter, or, where there are both
son and daughter, both of them,
(c) parents,
(d) daughter-in-law, being the widow of his
pre-deceased son, as had been ordinarily living in the premises with such
person as a member or members of his family up to the date of his death, but
does not include,-
any person against whom an order or decree for
eviction has been made, except where such decree or order for eviction is
liable to be re-opened under the proviso of section 3 of the Delhi Rent Control
(Amendment) Act, 1976 (18 of 1976);
(B) any person to whom a license, as defined
by section 52 of the Indian Easements Act, 1882 (5 of 1882), has been granted.
Explanation1. - The order of
succession in the event of the death of the person continuing in possession after
the termination of his tenancy shall be as follows:-
(a) firstly, his surviving spouse;
(b) secondly, his son or daughter, or both, if
there is no surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse did not ordinarily
live with the deceased person as a member of his family up to the date of his
death;
(c) thirdly, his parents, if there is no
surviving spouse, son or daughter or any of them, did not ordinarily live in
the premises as a member of the family of the deceased person up to the date of
his death; and
(d) fourthly, his daughter-in-law, being the
widow of his pre-deceased son, if there is no surviving spouse, son, daughter
or parents of the deceased person, or if such surviving spouse, son, daughter
or parents, or any of them, did not ordinarily live in the premises as a member
of the family of the deceased person up to the date of his death.
Explanation II. - If the person, who
acquires, by succession, the right to continue in possession after the termination
of the tenancy, was not financially dependent on the deceased person on the
date of his death, such successor shall acquire such right for a limited period
of one year; and on the expiry of that period, or on his death, whichever is
earlier, the right of such successor to continue in possession after the
termination of the tenancy shall become extinguished.
Explanation III.-For the removal of
doubts, it is hereby declared that, -
(a) where, by reason of Explanation II, the
right of any successor to continue in possession after the termination of the
tenancy becomes extinguished, such extinguished shall not affect the right of
any other succession of the same category to continue in possession after the
termination of the tenancy; but if there is no other successor of the same
category, the right to continue in possession after the termination of the
tenancy shall not, on such extinguishment, pass on to any other successor,
specified in any lower category or categories, as the case may be;
(b) the right of every successor, referred to
in Explanation I, to continue in possession after the termination of the
tenancy, shall be personal to him and shall not, on the death of such
successor, develop on any of his heirs];
(m). "urban area" has the same meaning as in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 (66 of 1957).
3. Act not to apply to certain premises
Nothing in this Act shall apply-
(a) To any premises belonging to the
Government; (Note: The word "or" omitted by Act 57 of 1988, sec.2 (w.e.f.
(b) To any tenancy or other like relationship
created by a grant from the Government in respect of the premises taken on
lease, or requisitioned, by the Government:
[(Note: Added by Act 4 of 1963, sec.2 (with retrospective
effect) Provided that where any premises belonging to Government have been or
are lawfully let by any person by virtue of an agreement with the Government or
otherwise, then, notwithstanding any judgment, decree or order of any court or
other authority, the provisions of this Act shall apply to such tenancy;]
[(c) (Note: Ins. by Act 37 of 1988, sec.2 (w.e.f.
(d) To any premises constructed on or after the commencement of the Delhi Rent Control (Amendment) Act, 1988, for a period of ten years from the date of completion of such construction;]
Chapter II -
4. Rent in excess of standard rent not recoverable
(1) Except where rent is liable to periodical increase by virtue of an agreement entered into before the 1st day of January, 1939, no tenant shall, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, be liable to pay to his landlord for the occupation of any premises any amount in excess of the standard rent of the premises, unless such amount is a lawful increase of the standard rent in accordance with the provisions of this Act
(2) Subject to the provision of sub-section (1) any agreement for the payment of rent in excess of the standard rent shall be construed as if it were an agreement for the payment of the standard rent only.
5. Unlawful changes not to be claimed or received
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, no
person shall claim or receive any rent in excess of the standard rent,
notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary.
(2) No person shall, in consideration of the
grant, renewal or continuance of a tenancy or sub-tenancy or sub-tenancy of any
premises,-
(a) Claim or receive
the payment of any sum as premium or pugree of claim
or receive any consideration whatsoever, in cash or in kind, in addition to the
rent; or
(b) Except with the
previous permission of the Controller, claim or receive the payment of any sum
exceeding one month�s rent of such premises as rent in advance.
(3) It shall not be lawful for the tenant or
any other person acting or purporting to act on behalf of the tenant or a
sub-tenant to claim or receive any payment in consideration of the
relinquishment, transfer or assignment of his tenancy or sub-tenancy, as the
case may be, of any premises.
(4) Nothing in this section shall apply-
(a) To any payment
made in pursuance of an agreement entered into before the 1st day of January,
1939; or
(b) To any payment made
under an agreement by any person to a landlord for the purpose of financing the
construction of the whole or part of any premises on the land belonging to
taken on lease by, the landlord, if one of the conditions of the agreement is
that the landlord is to let to that person the whole or part of the premises
when completed for the use of that person or any member of his family:
Provided that such payment does not exceed the
amount of agreed rent for a period of five years of the whole or part of the premises
to be let to such person.
Explanation. - For the purpose of clause (b) of this sub-section, "member of the family" of a person means, in the case of an undivided Hindu Family, any member of the family of that person and in the case of any other family, the husband, wife, son, daughter , father, mother, brother, sister or any other relative dependent on that person.
6. Standard rent
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section
(2), "standard rent", in relation to any premises means-
(A) In the case of residential premises-
(1) Where such
premises have been let out at any time before the 2nd day of June, 1944,-
(a) If the basic rent
of such premises per annum does not exceed six hundred rupees, the basic rent;
or
(b) If the basic rent
of such premises per annum exceeds six hundred rupees, the basic rent together
with ten per cent, of such basic rent;
(2) Where such premises have been let out at
any time on or after the 2nd day of June, 1994,-
(a) In any case where
the rent of such premises has been fixed under the Delhi and Ajmer- Mewar Rent Control Act,
1947 (19 of 1947), or the Delhi and Ajmer Rent
Control Act, 1952 (37 of 1952),-
(i)
If such rent per annum does not exceed twelve hundred rupees, the rent so
fixed; or
(ii) If such rent per
annum exceeds twelve hundred rupees, rent so fixed together with ten per cent.
of such rent;
(b) In any other case,
the rent calculated on the basis of [(Note: Subs. by Act 57 of 1988, sec.3, for
"seven and one-half per cent." (w.e.f. 1-12-1988)
ten per cent]. per annum of the aggregate amount of the [(Note: Subs. by Act 57
of 1988, sec.3, for "reasonable" (w.e.f.
1-12-1988) actual] cost of construction and the market price of the land
comprised in the premises on the date of the commencement of the construction:
(Note: Proviso omitted
by Act 57 of 1988, sec.3 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988)
(B) In the case of premises other than
residential premises-
(1) Where the premises have been let out at
any time before the 2nd day of June, 1944, the basic rent of such premises
together with ten per cent. of such basic rent:
Provided that where the rent so calculated
exceeds twelve hundred rupees per annum, this clause shall have effect as if
for the words "ten per cent.", the words "fifteen per
cent." had been substituted;
(2) Where the premises have been let out at
any time on or after the 2nd day of June, 1944,-
(a) In any case where
the rent of such premises has been fixed under the
(i)
If such rent per annum does not exceed twelve hundred rupees, the rent so
fixed; or
(ii) If such rent per
annum exceeds twelve hundred rupees, the rent so fixed together with fifteen
per cent. of such rent;
(b) In any other case,
the rent calculated on the basis of [(Note: Subs. by Act 57 of 1988, sec.3, for
"seven and one-half per cent" (w.e.f.
1-12-1988) ten per cent] per annum of the aggregate amount of the [(Note: Subs.
by Act 57 of 1988, sec.3, for "reasonable" (w.e.f.
1-12-1988) actual] cost of construction and the market price of the land
comprised in the premises on the date of the commencement of the construction:
(Note: Proviso omitted
by Act 57 of 1988, sec.3 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988)
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in
sub-section (1),-
(a) In the case of any premises, whether residential or not, constructed on or after the 2nd day of June, 1951, but before the 9th day of June, 1955, the annual rent calculated with reference to the rent at which the premises were let for the month of March, 1958, or if they were not so let, with reference, to the rent at which they were last let out, shall be deemed to be standard rent for a period of seven years from the date of the completion of the construction of such premises; (Note: The word "and" omitted by Act 57 of 1988, sec.3 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988)
(b) In the case of any
premises, whether residential or no, constructed on or after the 9th day of June,
1955, including premises constructed after the commencement of this Act [(Note:
Ins. by Act 57 of 1988, sec.3 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988) but
before the commencement of the Delhi Rent Control (Amendment) Act, 1988], the
annual rent calculated with reference to the rent agreed upon between the
landlord and the tenant when such premises were first let out shall be deemed
to be the standard rent for a period of five years from the date of such
letting out.
[(c) (Note: Ins. by
Act 57 of 1988, sec.3 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988) In the case
of any premises, whether residential or not, constructed on or after the
commencement of the Delhi Rent Control (Amendment) Act, 1988 and to which the
provisions of this Act are made applicable by virtue of clauses (d) of section
3, the rent calculated on the basis of ten per cent, per annum of the aggregate
amount of the actual cost of construction of the premises and the market price
of the land comprised in the premises on the date of commencement of the
construction, of the premises shall be deemed to be the standard rent]
(3) For the purpose of this section, residential premises include premises let out for the purpose of a public hospital, an educational institution, a public library, reading room or an orphanage.
6A. (Note: Ins. by Act 57 of w.e.f 1988, sec.4 (1-12-1988) Revision of rent.
[6A. (Note: Ins. by Act 57 of 1988, sec.4 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988) Revision of rent. �
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the standard rent, or, where no standard rent is fixed under the provisions of this Act in respect of any premises, the rent agreed upon between the landlord and the tenant, may be increased by ten per cent. every three years.]
7. Lawful increase of standard rent in certain cases and recovery of other charges
(1) Where a landlord has at any time, before
the commencement of this Act with or without the approval of the tenant or
after the commencement of this Act with the written approval of the tenant or
of the Controller, incurred expenditure for any improvement, addition or
structural alteration in the premises, not being expenditure on decoration or
tenantable repairs necessary or usual for such premises, and the cost of the
improvement, addition or alteration has not been taken into account in
determining the rent of the premises, the landlord may lawfully increase the
standard rent per year by an amount not exceeding [(Subs. by Act 57 of 1988,
sec.3, for "seven and one-half per cent." (w.e.f.
1-12-1988) ten per cent.] of such cost.
(2) Where a landlord pays in respect of the
premises any charge for electricity or water consumed in the premises or any
other charge levied by a local authority having jurisdiction in the area which
is ordinarily payable by the tenant, he may recover from the tenant the amount
so paid by him; but the landlord shall not recover from the tenant whether by
means of an increase in rent or otherwise the amount of any tax on building or
land imposed in respect of the premises occupied by the tenant:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall
affect the liability of any tenant under an agreement entered into before
8. Notice of increase of rent
(1) Where a landlord wishes to increase the
rent of any premises, he shall give the tenant notice of his intention to make
the increase and in so far as such increase is lawful under this Act, it shall
be due and recoverable only in respect of the period of the tenancy after the
expiry of thirty days from the date on which the notice is given.
(2) Every notice under sub-section (1) shall be in writing signed by or on behalf of the landlord and given in the manner provided in section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1982 (4 of 1882).
9. Controller to fix standard rent, etc
(1) The Controller shall, on an application
made to him in this behalf, either by the landlord or by the tenant, in the
prescribed manner, fix in respect of any premises-
(i)
The standard rent referred to in section 6; or
(ii) The increase, if
any, referred to in section7.
(2) In fixing the standard rent of any
premises of the lawful increase thereof, the Controller shall fix an amount
which appears to him to be reasonable having regard to the provisions of
section 6 or section 7 and the circumstances of the case:
[(Note: Ins. by Act 57 of 1988, sec.6 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988) Provided that in working out the cost of
construction of any premises or the market price of the land comprised in such
premises for the purpose of section 6, or the cost of improvement, addition or
alteration referred to in section 7, the Controller may take the assistance of
any valuer approved by the Central Government in
accordance with such rules as may be prescribed and the assessment shall be
made by such valuer in the manner prescribed.]
(3) In fixing the standard rent of any
premises part of which has been lawfully sub-let, the Controller may also fix
the standard rent of the part sub-let.
(4) Where for any reason it is not possible to
determine the standard rent of any premises on the principles set forth under
section 6, the Controller may fix such rent as would be reasonable having
regard to the situation, locality and condition of the premises and the
amenities provided therein and where there are similar or nearly similar
premises in the locality, having regard also to the standard rent payable in
respect of such premises.
(5) The standard rent shall in all cases be
fixed for a tenancy of twelve months:
Provided that where any premises are let or
re-let for a period of less than twelve months, the standard rent for such
tenancy shall bear the same proportion to the annual standard rent as the
period of tenancy bears to twelve months.
(6) In fixing the standard rent of any
premises under this section, the Controller shall fix the standard rent thereof
in an unfurnished state and may also determine an additional charge to be
payable on account of any fittings or furniture supplied by the landlord and it
shall be lawful for the landlord to recover such additional charge from the
tenant.
(7) In fixing the standard rent of any
premises under this section, the Controller shall specify a date from which the
standard rent so fixed shall be deemed to have effect:
Provided that in no case the date so specified
shall be earlier than one year prior of the date of the filing of the
application for the fixation of the standard rent.
10. Fixation of interim rent
If an application for fixing the standard rent or for determining the lawful increase of such rent is made under section 9, the Controller shall, as expeditiously as possible, make an order specifying the amount of the rent or the lawful increase to be paid by the tenant to the landlord pending final decision on the application and shall appoint the date from which the rent or lawful increase so specified shall be deemed to have effect.
11. Limitation of liability of middlemen
No collector of rent or middleman shall be liable to pay to his principal, in respect of any premises, any sum by way of rental charges which exceeds, the amount which he is entitled under this Act to realize from the tenant or tenants of the premises.
12. Limitation for application for fixation of standard rent
Any landlord or tenant may file an application
to the Controller for fixing the standard rent of the premises or for
determining the lawful increase of such rent,-
(a) In the case of any premises which were
let, or in which the cause of action for lawful increase of rent arose, before
the commencement of this Act, within two years from such commencement;
(b) In the case of any premises let after the
commencement of this Act [but before the commencement of the Delhi Rent Control
(Amendment) Act, 1988],-
(i)
Where the application is made by the landlord, within two years from the date
on which the premises
were let to the tenant
against whom the application is made;
(ii) Where the
application is made by the tenant, within two years from the date on which the
premises were let to that tenant; [(Note: Clause (d) has been inserted by Act
57 of 1988, sec.7. As a result of this insertion the word "and" of
the end of sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) ought to have been omitted and added
at the end of clause (c), which has not been done by Act 57 of 1988. The irregularity
has set right. (Ed.))and]
(c) In the case of any premises in which the
cause of action of lawful increase of rent arises after the commencement of
this Act, within two years from the date on which the cause of action arises,
[(Note: Clause (d) has been inserted by Act 57 of 1988, sec.7. As a result of
this insertion the word "and" of the end of sub-clause (ii) of clause
(b) ought to have been omitted and added at the end of clause (c), which has
not been done by Act 57 of 1988. The irregularity has set right. (Ed.)) and]
[(d) (Note: Ins. by Act 57 of 1988, sec.7 (w.e.f.
Provided that the Controller may entertain the application after the expiry of the said period of two years, if he is satisfied that the applicant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the application in time.
13. Refund of rent, premium, etc., not recoverable under the Act
Where any sum or other consideration has been paid , whether before or after the commencement of this Act, by or on behalf of a tenant to a landlord , in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or of the Delhi and Ajmer Rent Control Act, 1952 (38 of 1952), the Controller may, on an application made to him within a period of one year from the date of such payment, order the landlord to refund such sum or the value of such consideration to the tenant or order adjustment of such sum or the value of such consideration against the rent payable by the tenant.
Chapter III -
14. Protection of tenant against eviction
(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in any other law or contract, no order or decree for the recovery of possession
of any premises shall be made by and court or Controller in favor of the
landlord against a tenat:
Provided that the Controller may, on an
application made to him in the prescribed manner, make an order for the
recovery of possession of the premises on one or more of the following grounds
only, namely:-
(a) That the tenant
has neither paid nor tendered the whole of the arrears of the rent legally
recoverable from him within two months of the date on which a landlord in the
manner provided in section 106 of the Transfers of Property Act, 1882 (4 of
1882);
(b) That the tenant
has, on or after the 9th day of June, 1952, sublet, assigned or otherwise
without obtaining the consent in writing of the landlord;
(c) That the tenant
has used the premises for purpose other than that for which they were let-
(i)
If the premises have been let on or after the 9th day of June, 1952, without
obtaining the consent in writing of the landlord; or
(ii) If the premises
have been let before the said date without obtaining his consent;
(d) That the premises
were let for use as a residence and neither the tenant nor any member of his
family has been residing therein for a period of six months immediately before
the date of the filing of the application for the recovery of possession
thereof;
(e) That the premises
let for residential purpose are required bona fide by the landlord for
occupation as a residence for himself or for any member of his family dependent
on him, if he is the owner thereof, or for any person for whose benefit the
premises are held and the landlord or such person has no other reasonably
suitable residential accommodation;
Explanation.- For the purpose of
this clause, "premises let for residential purpose" include any
premises which having been let for use as a residence are, without the consent
of the landlord, used incidentally for commercial or other purposes;
(f) That the premises
have become unsafe or unfit for human habitation and are required bona fide by
the landlord for carrying out repairs which cannot be carried out without the
premises being vacated
(g) That the premises
are required bona fide by the landlord for the purpose building or re-building
or making thereto any substantial additions or alterations and that such
building or re-building or addition or alteration cannot be carried out without
the premises being vacated;
(h) That the tenant
has, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, (Note: The word
"built" omitted by Act 57 of 1988, sec.8 (w.e.f.
1-12-1988)) acquired vacant possession of, or been allotted, a residence;
[(hh)
(Note: Ins. by Act 57 of 1988, sec.8 (w.e.f.
1-12-1988)) That the tenant has, after the commencement of the Delhi Rent Control
(Amendment) Act, 1988, built a residence and ten years have elapsed
there-after;]
(i)
That the premises were let to the tenant for use as a residence by reason of
his being in the service or employment of the landlord, and that the tenant has
ceased, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, to be in such
service or employment;
(j) That the tenant
has, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, caused or permitted
to be caused substantial damage to the premises;
(k) That the tenant
has, notwithstanding previous notice, used or dealt with the premises in a
manner contrary to any condition imposed on the landlord by the Government or
the Delhi Development Authority or the Municipal Corporation of Delhi while
giving him a lease of the land on which the premises are situate;
(i)
That the landlord requires the premises in order to carry out any building work
at the instance of the Government or the Delhi Development Authority or the
Municipal Corporation of
(2) No order for the
recovery of possession of any premises shall be made on the ground specified in
clause (a) of the proviso to sub-section (1) if the tenant makes payment or
deposit as required by section 15:
Provided that no tenant shall
be entitled to the benefit under this sub-section, if, having obtained such
benefit once in respect of any premises, he again makes a default in the
payment of rent of those premises for three consecutive months.
(3) No order for the
recovery of possession in any proceeding under sub-section (1) shall be binding
on any sub-tenant referred to in section 17 who has given notice of his sub-tenancy
to the landlord under the provisions of that section, unless the sub-tenant is
made a party to the proceeding and the order for eviction is made binding on
him.
(4) For the purpose of
clause (b) of the proviso to sub-section (1), any premises which have been let
for being used for the purpose of business or profession shall be deemed to
have been sub-let by the tenant, if the Controller is satisfied that the tenant
without obtaining the consent in writing of the landlord has, after the 16th
day of August, 1958, allowed any person is a partner of the tenant in the
business or profession but really for the purpose of sub-letting such premises
to the person.
(5) No application for
the recovery of possession of any premises shall lie under sub-section (1) on
the ground specified in clause (c ) of the proviso thereto, unless the landlord
has given to the tenant a notice in the prescribed manner requiring him to stop
the misuse of the premises and the tenant has refused or failed to comply with
such requirement within one month of the date of service of the notice; and no
order for eviction against the tenant shall be made in such a case, unless the
Controller is satisfied that the misuse of the premises is of such a nature
that it is a public nuisance or that it causes damage to the premises or is
otherwise detrimental to the interest of the landlord.
(6) Where a landlord
has acquired any premises by transfer, no application for the recovery of
possession of such premises shall lie under sub-section (1), on the ground
specified in clause (e) of the proviso thereto, unless a period of five years
have elapsed from the date of the acquisition.
(7) Where an order for
the recovery of possession of any premises is made on the ground specified in
clause(c) of the proviso to sub-section (1), the landlord shall not be entitled
to obtain possession thereof before the expiration of a period of six months
from the date of the order.
(8) No order for the
recovery or possession of any premises shall be made on the ground specified in
clause (g) of the proviso to sub-section (1), unless the Controller is
satisfied that the proposed reconstruction will not radically after the purpose
for which the premises were let or such ramidically
alteration is in the public interest, and that the plans and estimates of such
reconstruction have been properly prepared and that necessary fund for the
purpose are available with the landlord.
(9) No order for the recovery
of possession of any premises shall be made on the ground specified in clause
(I) of the proviso to sub-section (1), if the Controller is of opinion that
there is any bona fide dispute as to whether the tenant has ceased to be in the
service or employment of the landlord.
(10) No order for the
recovery of possession of any premises shall be made on the ground specified in
clause, (i) of the proviso to sub-second (1) if the
tenant, within such time as may be specified in this behalf by the Controller,
carries out repairs to the damage caused to the satisfaction of the Controller
or pays to the landlord such amount by way of compensation as the Controller may
direct
(11) No order for the recovery of possession of any premises shall be made on the ground specified in clause (k) of the proviso of sub-section (1), if the tenant, within such time as may be specified in this behalf by the Controller, complies with the condition imposed on the landlord by any of the authorities referred to in that clause or pays to that authority such amount by way of compensation as the Controller may direct.
14A. Right to recover immediate possession of premises to accrue to certain persons
(1) Where a landlord who, being a person in
occupation of any residential premises allotted to him by the Central
Government or any local authority is required, by, or in pursuance of, any
general or special order made by that Government or authority, to vacate such
residential accommodation, or in default, to incur certain obligations, on the
ground that he owns, in the Union territory of Delhi, a residential
accommodation either in his own name or in the name of his wife or dependent
child, there shall accrue, on and from the date of such order, to such
landlord, notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Act or in any
other law for the time being in force or in any contract (whether express or
implied), custom or usage to the contrary, a right to recover immediately
possession of any premises let out by him:
Provided that nothing in this section shall be
construed as conferring a right on a landlord owning, in the Union territory of
Delhi, two or more dwelling houses whether in his own name or in the name of
his wife or dependent child to recover the possession of more than one dwelling
house and it shall be lawful for such landlord to indicate the dwelling house,
possession of which hi intends to recover.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained
elsewhere in this Act or in any there law for the time being in force or in any
contract, custom or usage to the contrary, where the landlord exercises the
right of recovery conferred on him by sub-section (1), no compensation shall be
payable by him to the tenant or any person claiming through or under him and no
claim for such compensation shall be entertained by any court, tribunal or
other authority:
Provided that where the landlord had received,-
(a) any rent in advance from the tenant, he
shall, within a period of ninety days from the date of recovery of possession
of the premises by him, refund to the tenant such amount as represents the rent
payable for the unexpired portion of the contract, agreement or lease;
(b) any other payment, he shall, within the
period aforesaid, refund to the tenant a sum which shall bear the same
proportion to the total amount received as the unexpired portion of the
contract or agreement, or lease bears to the total period of contract or
agreement or lease:
Provided further that, if any default is made in
making any refund as aforesaid, the landlord shall be liable to pay simple
interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum on the amount which he has
omitted or failed to refund]
14B. Right to recover immediate possession of premises to accrue to members of the armed forces, etc
(1) Where the landlord-
(a) is a released or
retired person from any armed forces and the premises let out by him are
required for his own residence; or
(b) is a dependent of
a member of any armed forces who had been killed in action and the premises let
out by such member are required for the residence of the family of such member,
such person or, as the case may be, the dependant may, within one year from the
date of his release or retirement from such armed forces or, as the case may
be, the date of death of such member, or within a period of one year from the
date of commencement of the Delhi Rent Control (Amendment) Act, 1988, whichever
is later, apply to the Controller for recovering the immediate possession of
such premises.
(2) Where the landlord is a member of any of
the armed forces and has a period of less than one year preceding the date of
his retirement and the premises let out by him are required for his own
residence after his retirement, he may, at any time, within a period of one
year before the date of his retirement, apply to the Controller for recovering
the immediate possession of such premises.
(3) Where the landlord referred to in
sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) has let out more than one premises, it shall
be open to him to make an application under that sub-section in respect of only
one of the premises chosen by him.
Explanation.-For the purpose of this section, "armed forces" means an armed force of the Union constituted under an Act of Parliament and includes a member of the police force constituted under section 3 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 (34 of 1978).]
14C. Right to recover immediate possession of premises to accrue to Central Government and Delhi Administration employees
(1) Where the landlord is a retired employee
of the Central Government or of the Delhi Administration, and the premises let
out by him are required for his own residence, such employee may, within one
year from the date of his retirement or within a period of one year from the
date of commencement of the Delhi Rent Control (Amendment) Act, 1988, whichever
is later apply to the Controller for recovering the immediate possession of
such premises.
(2) Where the landlord is an employee of the
Central Government or of the Delhi Administration and has a period of less than
one year preceding the date of his retirement and the premises let out by him
are required by him for his own residence after his retirement, he may, at any
time within a period of one year before the date of his retirement, apply to the
Controller for recovering the immediate possession of such premises.
(3) Where the landlord referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) has let out more than one premises, it shall be open to him to make an application under that sub-section in respect of only one of the premises chosen by him.]
14D. Right to recover immediate possession of premises to accrue to a widow
(1) Where the landlord is a widow and the
premises let out by her, or by her husband, are required by her for her own
residence, she may apply to the Controller for recovering the immediate
possession of such premises.
(2) where the landlord referred to in sub-section (1) has let out more than one premises, it shall be open to her to make an application under that sub-section in respect of any one of the premises chosen by her.]
15. When a tenant can get the benefit of protection against eviction
(1) In every proceeding of the recovery of
possession of any premises on the ground specified in clause (a) of the proviso
to sub-section (1) of section 14, the Controller shall, after giving the
parties an opportunity of being heard, make an order directing the tenant to
pay to the landlord or deposit with the Controller within one month of the date
of the order, an amount calculated at the rate of rent at which it was last
paid for the period for which the arrears of the rent were legally recoverable
from the tenant including the period subsequent thereto up to the end of the
month previous to that in which payment or deposit is made and to continue to
pay or deposit, month by month, by the fifteen of each succeeding month, a sum
equivalent to the rent at that rate.
(2) If, in any proceeding for the recovery of
possession of any premises on any ground other than that referred to in
sub-section (1), the tenant contest the claim for eviction, the landlord may,
at any state of the proceeding, make an application to the Controller for an
order on the tenant to pay to the landlord the amount of rent legally
recoverable from the tenant and the Controller may, after giving the parties an
opportunity of being heard, make an order in accordance with the provisions of
the said sub-section.
(3) If, in any proceeding referred to in sub-section
(1) or sub-section (2), there is any dispute as to the person or persons to
whom the rent is payable, the Controller may direct the tenant to deposit with
the Controller the amount payable by him under sub-section (1) or sub-section
(2), as the case may be until the standard rent in relation thereto is fixed
having regard to the provisions of this Act, and the amount of arrears if any,
calculated on the basis of the standard rent shall be paid or deposited by the
tenant within one month of the date on which the standard rent is fixed or such
further time as the Controller may allow in this behalf.
(4) If, in any proceeding referred to in
sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), there is any dispute as to the person or
persons to whom the rent is payable, the Controller may direct the tenant to
deposit with the Controller the amount payable by him under sub-section (1) or
sub-section (2) or sub-section (3), as the case may be, and in such a case no
person shall be entitled to withdraw the amount in deposit until the Controller
decides the dispute and makes an order for payment of the same.
(5) If the Controller is satisfied that any
dispute referred to in sub-section (4) has been raised by a tenant for reasons
which are false or frivolous, the Controller may order the defense against
eviction to be struck out and proceed with the hearing of the application.
(6) If a tenant makes payment or deposit as
required by sub-section (1) or sub-section (3), no order shall be made for the
recovery of possession on the ground of default in the payment of rent by the
tenant, but the Controller may allow such costs as he may deem fit to the
landlord.
(7) If a tenant fails to make payment or deposit as required by this section, the Controller may order the defense against eviction to be struck out an proceed with the hearing of the application.
16. Restrictions on sub-letting
(1) Where at any time before the 9th day of
June, 1952, a tenant has sub-let the whole or any part of the premises and the
sub-tenant is, at the commencement of this Act, in occupation of such premises,
then notwithstanding that the consent of the landlord was not obtained for such
sub-letting, the premises shall be deemed to have been lawfully sub-let.
(2) No premises which have been sub-let either
in whole or in part on or after the 9th day of June, 1952,without obtaining the
consent in writing of the landlord, shall be deemed to have been lawfully
sub-let.
(3) After the commencement of this Act, no
tenant shall, without the previous consent in writing of the landlord,-
(a) Sub-let the whole
or any part of the premises held by him as a tenant; or
(b) transfer or assign
his rights in the tenancy or in any part thereof.
(4) No landlord shall claim or receive the payment of any sum as premium or pugree or claim or receive any consideration whatsoever in cash or in kind for giving his consent to the sub-letting of the whole or any part of the premises held be the tenant.
17. Notice of creation and termination of sub-tenancy
(1) Whoever, after the commencement of this
Act, any premises are sub-let either in whole or in part by the tenant with the
previous consent in writing of the landlord, the tenant or the sub-tenant to
whom the promises are sub-let may, in the prescribed manner, give notice to the
landlord of the creation of the sub-tenancy within one month of the date of
such sub-letting and notify the termination of such sub-tenancy within one
month of such termination.
(2) Where, before the commencement of this Act,
any premises have been lawfully sub-let either in whole or in part by the
tenant, the tenant or the sub-tenant to whom the premises have been sub-let
may, in the prescribed manner, give notice to the landlord of the creation of
the sub-tenancy within six months of the commencement of this Act, and notify
the termination of such sub-tenancy within one month of such termination.
(3) Where in any case mentioned in sub-section (2), the landlord contests that the premises were not lawfully sub-let, and an application is made to the Controller in this behalf, either by the landlord or by the sub-tenant, within two months of the date of the receipt of the notice of sub-letting by the landlord or the issue of this notice by the tenant or the sub-tenant, as the case may be, the Controller shall decide the dispute
18. Sub-tenant to be tenant in certain cases
(1) Where an order for eviction in respect of
any premises is made under section 14 against a tenant but not against a
sub-tenant referred to in section 17 and a notice of the sub-tenancy has been
given to the landlord, the sub-tenant shall, with effect from the date of the
order, be deemed to become a tenant holding directly under the landlord in
respect of the premises in his occupation on the same terms and conditions on
which the tenant would have held from the landlord, if the tenancy had
continued.
(2) Where, before the commencement of this Act, the interest of a tenant in respect of any premises has been determined without determining the interest of any sub-tenant to whom the premises has been determined without determining the interest of any sub-tenant to whom the premises either in whole or in part had been lawfully sub-let, the sub-tenant shall, with effect from the date of the commencement of this Act, be deemed to have become a tenant holding directly under the landlord on the same terms and conditions on which the tenant would have held from the landlord , if the tenancy had continued.
19. Recovery of possession for occupation and re-entry
(1) Where a landlord recovers possession of
any premises from the tenant in pursuance of an order made under clause (c) of
the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14 [or under sections 14A, 14B, 14C,
148 and 21], the landlord shall not, except with the permission of the
Controller, obtained in the prescribed manner, re-let the whole or any part of
the premises within three years from the date of obtaining such possession, and
in granting such permission, the Controller may direct the landlord to put such
evicted tenant in possession of the premises.
(2) Where a landlord recovers possession of any premises as aforesaid and the premises are not occupied by the landlord or by the person for whose benefit the premises are held, within two months of obtaining such possession, or the premises having been so occupied are, at any time within three years from the date of obtaining possession, re-let to any person other than the evicted tenant without obtaining the permission of the Controller under sub-section (1) or the possession of such premises is transferred to another person for reasons which do not appear to the Controller to be bona fide, the Controller may, on an application made on him in this behalf by such evicted tenant within such time as may be prescribed, direct the landlord to put the tenant in possession of the premises or to pay him such compensation as the Controller thinks fit.
20. Recovery of possession for repairs and re-building and re-entry
(1) In making any order on the grounds specified
in clause (f) or clause (g) of the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14,
the Controller shall ascertain from the tenant whether he elects to be placed
in occupation of the premises or part thereof from which he is to be evicted
and if the tenant so elects, shall record the fact of the election in the order
and specify therein the date on or before which he shall deliver possession so
as to enable the landlord to commence the work of repairs or building or
re-building, as the case may be.
(2) If the tenant delivers possession on or
before the date specified in the order, the landlord shall, on the completion
of the work of repairs of building or re-building, place the tenant in
occupation of the premises or part thereof.
(3) If, after the tenant has delivered possession on or before the date specified in the order, the landlord fails to commence the work of repairs or building or re-building within one month of the specified date or fails to complete the work in a reasonable time or having complete the work, fails to place the tenant in occupation of the premises in accordance with sub-section (2), the Controller may, on an application made to him in this behalf by the tenant within such time as may be prescribed, order the landlord to place the tenant in occupation of the premises or part thereof or to pay to the tenant such compensation as the Controller thinks fit.
21. Recovery of possession in case of tenancies for limited period
(1) Where a landlord does not require the
whole or any part of any premises for a particular period, and the landlord,
after obtaining the permission of the Controller in the prescribed manner, lets
the whole of the premises or part thereof as a residence for such period as may
be agreed to in writing between the landlord and the tenant and the tenant does
not on the expiry of the said period, vacate such premises then,
notwithstanding anything contained in section 14 or in any other law, the
Controller may, on an application made to him in this behalf by the landlord
within such time as may be prescribed, place the landlord in vacant possession
of the premises or part thereof by evicting the tenant and every other person
who may be in occupation of such premises.
[(2) While making an order under sub-section (1), the Controller may award to the landlord such damages for the use or occupation of the premises at such damages for the use or occupation of the premises at such rates he considers proper in the circumstances of the case for the period from the date of such order till the date of actual vacation by the tenant.]
22. Special provision for recovery of possession in certain cases
Where the landlord in respect of any premises
is any company or other body corporate or any local authority or any public institution
and the premises are required for the use of employees of such landlord or in
the case of a public institution, for the furtherance activities, then,
notwithstanding anything contained in section 14 or any other law, the
Controller may, on an application made to him in his behalf by such landlord,
place the landlord in vacant possession of such premises by evicting the tenant
and every other person who may be in occupation thereof, if the Controller is
satisfied-
(a) that the tenant to whom such premises were
let for use as a residence at a time when he was in the service or employment
of the landlord, has ceased to be in such service or employment; or
(b) that the tenant has acted in contravention
of the terms, express or implied, under which he was authorized to occupy such
premises; or
(c) that any other person is in unauthorized
occupation of such premises; or
(d) that the premises are required bona fide
by the public institution for the furtherance of its activities.
Explanation. - For the purposes of this section, "public institution" includes any educational institution, library, hospital and charitable dispensary [but does not include any such institution set up by any private trust]
23. Permission to construct additional structures
Where the landlord proposes to make any improvement in, or construct any additional structure on, any building which has been let to a tenant and the tenant refuses to allow the landlord to make such improvement or construct such additional structure and the Controller, on an application made to him in this behalf by the landlord, is satisfied that the landlord is ready and willing to commence the work and that such work will not cause any undue hardship to the tenant, the Controller may permit the landlord to do such work and may make such other order as he thinks fit in the circumstances of the case.
24. Special provision regarding vacant building sites
Notwithstanding anything contained in section
14, where any premises which have been let comprise vacant land upon which it
is permissible under the building regulations or municipal bye-laws, for the
time being in force, to erect any building , whether for use as a residence or
for any other purpose and the landlord proposing to erect such building is
unable to obtain possession of the land from the tenant by agreement with him
and the Controller, on an application made to him in this behalf by the
landlord, is satisfied that the landlord is ready and willing to commence the
work and that severance of the vacant land from the rest of the premises will
not cause undue hardship to the tenant, the Controller may-
(a) Direct severance;
(b) Place the landlord in possession of the
vacant land;
(c) Determine the rent payable by the tenant
in respect of the rest of the premises; and
(d) Make such other order as he thinks fit in the circumstances of the case.
25. Vacant possession to landlord
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other
law, where the interest of a tenant in any premises is determined for any
reason whatsoever and any order is made by the Controller under this Act for
the recovery of possession of such premises the order shall, subject to the
provisions of section 18, be binding on all persons who may be in occupation of
the premises and vacant possession thereof shall be given to the landlord by
evicting all such person there from:
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to any person who has an independent title to such premises.
Chapter III A -
25A. Provisions of this Chapter to have overriding effect
The provisions of this Chapter or any rule made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained elsewhere in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force.
25B. Special procedure for the disposal of applications for eviction on the ground of bona fide requirement
(1) Every application by a landlord for the
recovery of possession of any premises on the ground specified in clause (e) of
the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14, or under section 14A [or under
section 14B or under section 14C or under section 14D] shall be dealt with in
accordance with the procedure specified in this section.
(2) The Controller shall issue summons, in
relation to every application referred to in sub-section (1), in the form
specified in the Third Schedule.
(3) (a) The Controller shall, in addition to,
and simultaneously with, the issue of summons for service on the tenant, also
direct the summons to be served by registered post, acknowledgement due,
addressed to the tenant or his agent empowered to accept the service at the
place where the tenant or his agent actually and voluntarily resides or carries
on business or personally works for gain and may ,if the circumstances of the
case so require, also direct the publication of the summons in a newspaper
circulating in the locality in which the tenant is last known to have resided
or carried on business or personally worked for gain .
(4) The tenant on whom the summons is duly
served (whether in the ordinary way or by registered post) in the form
specified in the Third Schedule shall not contest the prayer for eviction from
the premises unless he files and affidavit stating the grounds on which he
seeks to contest the application for eviction and obtains leave from the
Controller as hereinafter provided; and in default of his appearance in
pursuance of the summons or his obtaining such leave, the statement made by the
landlord in the application for eviction shall be deemed to be admitted by the
tenant and the applicant shall be entitled to an order for eviction on the
ground aforesaid.
(5) The Controller shall give to the tenant
leave to contest the application if the affidavit filed by the tenant discloses
such facts as would disentitle the landlord from obtaining an order for the
recovery of possession of the premises on the ground specified in clause (c )
of the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14, or under section 14A.
(6) Where leave is granted to the tenant to
contest the application, the Controller shall commence the hearing of the
application as early as practicable.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in
sub-section (2) of section 37, the Controller shall, while holding and inquiry
in a proceeding to which this Chapter applies, follow the practice and
procedure of a Court of Small Causes, including the recording of evidence.
(8) No appeal or second appeal shall lie
against an order for the recovery of possession of any premises made by the Controller
in accordance with the procedure specified in this section:
Provided that the High Court may, for the
purpose of satisfying itself that an order made by the Controller under this
section is according to law, call for the records of the case and pass such
order in respect thereto as it thinks fit.
(9) Where no application has been made to the
High Court on revision, the Controller may exercise the powers of review in
accordance with the provisions of Order XLVII of the First Schedule to the Code
of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908).
(10) Save as otherwise provided in this Chapter, the procedure for the disposal of an application for eviction on the ground specified in clause (e) of the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14, or under section 14A, shall be the same as the procedure for the disposal of applications by Controllers.
25C. Act to have effect in a modified form in relation to certain persons
(1) Nothing contained in sub-section (6) of
section 14 shall apply to a landlord who, being a person in occupation of any
residential premises allotted to him by the Central Government or any local
authority is required by or in pursuance of, an order made by that Government
or authority to vacate such residential accommodation, or, in default, to incur
certain obligations, or the ground that the owns a residential accommodation
either in his own name or in the name of his wife or dependent child in the
Union territory of Delhi.
(2) In the case of a landlord whom, being a person of the category specified in sub-section (1) has obtained, on the ground specified in clause (e) of the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14, or under section 14A, an order for the eviction of a tenant from any premises, the provisions of sub-section (7) of section 14 shall have effect as if for the words "six months", occurring therein, the words "two months" were substituted.]
Chapter IV -
26. Receipt to be given for rent paid
(1) Every tenant shall pay rent within the
time fixed by contract or in the absence of such contract, by the fifteenth day
of the month next following the month for which it is payable [and where any
default occurs in the payment of rent, the tenant shall be liable to pay simple
interest at the rate of fifteen per cent. per annum from the date on which such
payment of rent is due to the date on which it is paid].
(2) Every tenant who makes a payment of rent
to his landlord shall be entitled to obtain forthwith from the landlord or his
authorized agent a written receipt for the amount paid to him., signed by the
landlord or his authorized agent:
[Provided that it shall be open to the
tenant to remit the rent to his landlords by postal money order.]
(3) If the landlord or his authorized agent refuses or neglects to deliver to the tenant a receipt referred to in sub-section (2), the Controller may, on an application made to him in this behalf by the tenant within two months from the date of payment and after hearing the landlord or his authorized agent, by order direct the landlord or his authorized agent to pay to the tenant, by way of damages, such sum not exceeding double the amount of rent paid by the tenant and the costs of the application and shall also grant a certificate to the tenant in respect of the rent paid.
27. Deposit of rent by the tenant
(1) Where the landlord does not accept any
rent tendered by the tenant within the time referred to in section 26 of
refuses or neglects to deliver a receipt referred to therein or where there is
a bona fide doubt as to the person or persons to whom the rent is payable, the
tenant may deposit such rent with the Controller in the prescribed manner:
[Provided that in case where there is a
bona fide doubt as to the person or persons to whom the rent is payable, the
tenant may remit such rent to the Controller by postal money order.]
(2) The deposit shall be accompanied by an
application by the tenant containing the following particulars, namely:-
(a) the premises for
which the rent is deposited with a description sufficient for identifying the
premises;
(b) the period for
which the rent is deposited;
(c) the name and
address of the landlord or the person or persons claiming to be entitled to
such rent;
(d) the reasons and
circumstances for which the application for depositing the rent is made;
(e) such other
particulars as may be prescribed.
(3) On such deposit of the rent being made,
the Controller shall send in the prescribed manner a copy or copies of the
application to the landlord or persons claiming to be entitled to the rent with
an endorsement of the date of the deposit.
(4) If an application is made for the
withdrawal of any deposit of rent, the Controller shall, if satisfied that the
applicant is the person entitled to receive the rent deposited, order the
amount of the rent to be paid to him in the manner prescribed:
Provided that no order for payment of any
deposit of rent shall be made by the Controller under this sub-section without
giving all persons named by he tenant in his application under sub-section (2)
as claiming to be entitled to payment of such rent being decided by a court of
competent jurisdiction.
(5) If at the time of filing the application under
sub-section (4), but not after the expiry of thirty days from receiving the
notice of deposit, the landlord or the person or persons claiming to be
entitled to the rent complains or complain to the Controller that the
statements in the tenant�s application of the reasons and circumstances which
led him to deposit the rent are untrue, the Controller, after giving the tenant
an opportunity of being heard, may levy on the tenant a fine which may extend
to an amount equal to two months� rent, if the Controller is satisfied that the
said statements were materially untrue and may order that a sum out of the fine
realized be paid to the landlord as compensation.
(6) The Controller may, on the complaint of the tenant and after giving an opportunity to the landlord of being heard, levy on the landlord a fine which may extend to an amount equal to two months� rent, if the Controller is satisfied that the landlord, without any reasonable cause, refused to accept rent though tendered to him within the time referred to in section 26 and may further order that a sum out of the fine realized be paid to the tenant as compensation.
28. Time limit of making deposit and consequences of incorrect particulars is application for deposit
(1) No rent deposited under section 27 shall
be considered to have been validly deposited under that section, unless the
deposit is made within twenty-one days of the time referred to in section 26
for payment of the rent.
(2) No such deposit shall be considered to
have been validly made, if the tenant willfully makes any false statement in
his application for depositing the rent, unless the landlord has withdrawn the
amount deposited before the date of filing an application for the recovery of
possession of the premises from the tenant.
(3) If the rent is deposited within the time mentioned in sub-section (1) and does not cease to is valid deposit for the reason mentioned in sub-section (2), the deposit shall constitute payment of rent to the landlord, as if the amount deposited had been validly tendered?
29. Saving as to acceptance of rent forfeiture of rent in deposit
(1) The withdrawal of rent deposited under
section 27 in the manner provided therein shall not operate as an admission
against the person withdrawing it of the correctness of the rent, the period of
default, the amount due, or of any other facts stated in the tenant�s
application for depositing the rent under the said section.
(2) Any rent in deposit which is not withdrawn
by the landlord or by the person or persons entitled to receive such rent shall
be forfeited to Government by an order made by the Controller, if it is not
withdrawn before the expiration of five years from the date of posting of the
notice of deposit.
(3) Before passing as order of forfeiture the Controller shall give notice to the landlord or the person or persons entitled to receive the rent in deposit by registered post at the last known address of such landlord or person or persons and shall also publish the notice in his office and in any local newspaper.
Chapter V -
30. Application of the Chapter
The Provisions of this Chapter shall apply to
all hotels and lodging houses in the areas which, immediately before the 7th
day of April, 1958, were included in the New Delhi Municipal Committee, Municipal
Committee, Delhi and the Notified Area Committee, Civil Station, Delhi and may
be applied by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette,
to hotels and lodging houses within the limits of such other urban are of the
Municipal Corporation of Delhi as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that if the Central Government is of opinion that it would not be desirable in the public interest to make the provisions of this Chapter applicable to any class of hotels or lodging houses, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt such class of hotels or lodging houses or lodging houses from the operation of this Chapter.
31. Fixing of fair rate
(1) Where the Controller, on a written complaint
or otherwise, has reason to believe that the charges made for board or lodging
or any other service provided in any hotel or lodging houses are excessive, he
may fix a fair rate to be charged for board, lodging or other services provided
in the hotel or lodging house and in fixing such fair rate, specified
separately the rate for lodging, board or other services.
(2) In determining the fair rate under sub-section (1), the Controller shall have regard to the circumstances of the case and to the prevailing rate of charges for the same or similar accommodation, board and service, during the twelve months immediately preceding the 1st day of June, 1951, and to any general increase in the cost of living after that date.
32. Revision of fair rate
On a written application from the manager of a hotel or the owner of a lodging house or otherwise, the Controller may, from time to time, revise the fair rate to be charged for board, lodging or other service in a hotel or lodging house, and fix such rate as he may deem fit having regard to any general rise or fall in the cost of living which may have occurred after the fixing of fair rate.
33. Charges in excess of fair rate not recoverable
When the Controller has determined the fair
rate of charges in respect of a hotel or lodging house, -
(a) The manager of the hotel or the owner of
the lodging house, as the case may be, shall not charge any amount in excess of
the fair rate and shall not, except with the previous written permission of the
Controller, withdraw from the lodger any concession or service allowed at the
time when the Controller determined the fair rate;
(b) Any agreement for the payment of any
charges in excess of such fair rate shall be void in respect of such excess and
shall be construed as if it were an agreement for payment of the said fair
rate;
(c) Any sum paid by a lodger in excess of the fair rate shall be recoverable by him at any time within a period of six months from the date of the payment from the manager of the hotel or the owner of the lodging house or his legal representatives and may, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery, be deducted by such lodger from any amount payable by him to such manager or owner.
34. Recovery of possession by manager or a hotel or the owner of a lodging house
Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Act, the manager of a hotel or the owner of a lodging house shall be entitled
to recover possession of the accommodation provided by him to a lodger on
obtaining a certificate from the Controller certifying-
(a) That the lodger has been guilty of conduct
which is a nuisance or which caused annoyance to any adjoining or neighboring
ledger;
Explanation.-For the purposes of
this clauses, "nuisance" shall be deemed to include any act which
constitutes an offence under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and
Girls Act, 1956 (104 of 1956);
(b) That the accommodation is reasonably and
bona fide required by the owner of the hotel or lodging house, as the case may
be, either for his own occupation or for the occupation of any person for whose
benefit the accommodation is held, or any other cause which may be deemed
satisfactory to the Controller;
(c) That the lodger has failed to vacate the accommodation
on the termination of the period of the agreement in respect thereof;
(d) That the lodger has done any act which in
inconsistent with the purpose for which the accommodation was given to him or
which is likely to affect adversely or substantially the owner�s interest
therein;
(e) That the lodger has failed to pay the rent due from him.
Chapter VI -
35. Appointment of Controllers and Additional Controllers
(1) The Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint as many Controllers as it thinks
fit, and define the local limits within which, or the hotels and lodging houses
in respect of which, each Controller shall exercise the powers conferred, and
perform the duties imposed, on Controllers by or under this Act.
(2) The Central Government may also, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint as many additional Controllers as
it thinks fit and an additional Controller shall perform such of the functions
of the Controller as may, subject to the control of the Central Government, be
assigned to him in writing by the Controller and in the discharge of these
functions, an additional Controller shall have and shall exercise the same
powers and discharge the same duties as the Controller.
(3) A person not be
qualified for appointment as a Controller or an additional Controller, unless
he has for at least five years held a judicial office in
36. Powers of Controller
(1) the Controller may-
(a) Transfer any
proceeding pending before him for disposal to any additional Controller, or
(b) Withdraw any
proceeding pending before any additional Controller any dispose it of him or
transfer the proceeding for disposal to any other additional Controller.
(2) The Controller shall have the same powers
as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of
1908), when trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:-
(a) Summoning and
enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) Requiring the
discovery and production of documents;
(c) Issuing
commissions for the examination of witnesses;
(d) Any other matter
which may be prescribed, And any proceeding before the Controller shall be
deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of section 193 and
section 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), and the Controller shall be
deemed to be a civil court within the meaning of section 480 and section 482 of
the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898).
(3) For the purposes of holding any inquiry or
discharging any duty under this Act, the Controller may,-
(a) After giving not
less than twenty-four hours� notice in writing, enter and inspect or authorize
any officer subordinate to him to enter and inspect any premises at any time
between sunrise and sunset; or
(b) By written order,
require any person to produce for his inspection all such accounts, book or other
documents relevant to the inquiry at such time and at such place as may be
specified in the order.
(4) The Controller may, if he thinks fit, appoint one or more person having special knowledge of the matter under consideration as an assessor or assessors to advise him in the proceeding before him.
37. Procedure to be followed by Controller
(1) No order which prejudicially affects any
person shall be made by the Controller under this Act without giving him a
reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the order proposed to be made
and until his objection, if any, and any evidence he may produce in support of
the same have been considered by the Controller.
(2) Subject to any rules that may be made
under this Act, the Controller, shall, while holding an inquiry in any
proceeding before him, follow as far as may be the practice and procedure of a
Court of Small Causes, including the recording of evidence.
(3) In all proceedings before him, the Controller shall consider the question of costs and award such costs to or against any party as the Controller considers reasonable.
38. Appeal to the Tribunal
(1) An appeal shall lie from every order of the
Controller made under this Act [only on questions of law] to the Rent Control
Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as the Tribunal) consisting of one person only
to be appointed by the Central Government by notification in the Official
Gazette:
[Provided that no appeal shall lie from
an order of the Controller made under section 21.]
(2) An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be
preferred within thirty days from the date of the order made by the Controller:
Provided that the Tribunal may entertain the
appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied
that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in
time.
(3) The Tribunal shall have all the power
vested in a court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), when
hearing an appeal.
(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of
sub-section (3), the Tribunal may, on an application made to it or otherwise,
by order transfer any proceeding pending before any Controller or additional
Controller to another Controller or additional Controller and the Controller or
additional Controller to whom the proceeding is so transferred may, subject to
any special directions in the order of transfer, dispose of the proceeding.
(5) A person shall not be qualified for
appointment to the Tribunal, unless he is, or has been a district judge or has
for at least ten years held a judicial office in
38A. Additional Rent Control Tribunals
(1) For the expeditious disposal of appeals
and applications under section 38, the Central Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, constitute as many Additional Rent Control Tribunals
as it deem fit and appoint to each such Additional Rent Control Tribunal
(hereinafter referred to as the Additional Tribunal) on person qualified for
appointment to the Tribunal in accordance with the provisions of sub-section
(5) of that section.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in
section 38, the Tribunal, may, by order in writing, -
(a) Specify the
appeals or classes of appeals under sub-section (1) of that section which may
be preferred to an disposed of by each Additional Tribunal and the classes of
cases in which each Additional Tribunal may exercise the powers of the Tribunal
under sub-section (4) of that section;
(b) Transfer any
appeal or proceeding pending before it for disposal to, any Additional
Tribunal; or
(c) Withdraw any
appeal or proceeding pending before any Additional Tribunal and dispose it of
itself or transfer the appeal or proceeding for disposal to any other
Additional Tribunal.
(3) The Provisions of sub-section (2) and (3) of section 38 shall apply in relation to an Additional Tribunal as they apply in relation to the Tribunal.
38B. Power of High Court to transfer appeals, etc
The High Court may also, on an application
made to it or otherwise, by order, transfer-
(a) any appeal or proceeding pending before
the Tribunal to any Additional Tribunal; or
(b) any appeal or proceeding pending before any Additional Tribunal to the Tribunal or in any other Additional Tribunal.
39. Section 39 omitted by Act 57 of 1988, sec.17 1-12-1988)
40. Amendment of orders
Clerical or arithmetical mistakes in any order passed by a Controller or [the Tribunal or an Additional Tribunal] or errors arising therein from any accidental slip or omission may, at any time, be corrected by the Controller or [the Tribunal on an Additional Tribunal] on am application received in this behalf from any of the parties or otherwise.
41. Controller to exercise powers of a magistrate for recovery of fine
Any fine imposed by a Controller under this Act shall be paid by the person find witnessed such time as may be the Controller and the Controller may, for good and sufficient reason, extend the time, and in default of such payment, the amount shall be recoverable as a fine under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and the Controller shall be deemed to be a magistrate under the said code for the purposes of such recovery.
42. Controller to exercise powers of civil court for execution of other orders
Save as otherwise provided in section 41, an order made by the Controller or an order passed on appeal under this Act shall be executable by the Controller as a decree of a civil court and for this purpose, the Controller shall have all the powers of a civil court.
43. Finality of order
Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, every order made by the Controller or an order passed on appeal under this Act shall be final and shall not be called in question in any original suit, application or execution proceeding.
Chapter VII -
44. Landlords duty to keep the premises in good repair
(1) Every landlord shall be bound to keep the
premises in good and tenantable repairs.
(2) If the landlord neglects or fails to make,
within a reasonable time after notice in writing, any repairs which he is bound
to make under sub-section (1) the tenant may make the same himself and deduct
the expenses of such repairs from the rent or otherwise recover them from the
landlord:
Provided that the amount sod deducted or
recoverable in any year shall not exceed one-twelfth of the rent payable by the
tenant for that year.
(3) Where any repairs without which the
premises are not habitable or usable except with undue inconvenience are to be
made and the landlord neglects or fails to make them after notice in writing,
the tenant may apply to the Controller for permission to make such repairs
himself and may submit to the Controller an estimate of the cost of such
repairs, and, thereupon, the Controller may, after giving the landlord an
opportunity of being heard and after considering such estimate of the cost and
making such inquires as he may consider necessary, by an order in writing,
permit the tenant to make such repairs at such cost as may be specified in the
order and it shall thereafter be lawful for the tenant to make such repairs
himself and to deduct the cost thereof, which shall in no case exceed the
amount so specified, from the rent or otherwise recover it from the landlord:
Provided that the amount so deducted or
recoverable in any year shall not exceed one-half of the rent payable by the
tenant for that year:
Provided further that if any repairs not covered
by the said amount are necessary in the opinion of the Controller, and the tenant
agrees to bear the excess cost himself., the Controller may permit the tenant
to make such repairs.
45. Cutting off or withholding essential supply or service
(1) No landlord either himself or through any person
purporting to act on his behalf shall without just and sufficient cause cut off
or withhold any essential supply or service enjoyed by the tenant in respect of
the premises let to him.
(2) If a landlord contravenes the provisions
of sub-section (1), the tenant may make an application to the Controller
complaining of such contravention.
(3) If the Controller is satisfied that
essential supply or service was cut off or withheld by the landlord with a view
to compel the tenant to vacate the premises or to pay an enhanced rent, the
Controller may pass an 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 just and sufficient cause cut off or
withhold any essential supply or service enjoyed by the tenant in respect of
the premises let to him.
(2) If a landlord contravenes the provisions
of sub-section (1), the tenant may make an application to the Controller complaining
of such contravention.
(3) If the Controller is satisfied that
essential supply or service was cut off or withheld by the landlord with a view
to compel the tenant to vacate the premises or to pay an enhanced rent, the
Controller may pass an 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 essential supply or service enjoyed by the tenant in respect of the
premises was cut off or withheld by the landlord without just and sufficient
cause, he shall make an order directing the landlord to restore such supply or
service.
(5) The Controller may in his discretion
direct that compensation not exceeding fifty rupees-
(a) be paid to the
landlord by the tenant, if the application under sub-section (2) was made
frivolously or vexatioulsy;
(b) be paid to the
tenant by the landlord, if the landlord had cut off or withheld the supply or
service without just and sufficient cause.
Explanation 1.-In this section
"essential supply or service" includes supply of water , electricity,
lights in passages and on staircases, conservancy and sanitary services.
Explanation II.-For the purposes of this section, withholding any essential supply or service shall include acts or omissions attributable to the landlord of account of which the essential supply or service is cut off by the local authority or any order competent authority.
46. Landlord's duty to give notice of new construction to Government
46. Landlord�s duty to give notice of new
construction to Government. �
Whenever, after the commencement of this Act, any premises are constructed, the landlord shall, within thirty days of the completion of such construction, give intimation thereof in writing to the [Director of Estates] or to such other officer as may be specified in this behalf by the Government.
47. Leases of vacant premises to Government
(1) The provisions of this section shall apply
only in relation to premises in the areas which, immediately before the 7th day
of April, 1958, were included in the New Delhi Municipal Committee and which
are, or are intended to be, let for use as a residence.
(2) Whenever any premises the standard rent of
which is not less than two thousand and four hundred rupees per year becomes
vacant either by the landlord ceasing to occupy the premises or by the
termination of a tenancy or by the eviction of a tenant or by the release of
the premises from requisition or otherwise,-
(a) the landlord
shall, within seven days of the premises becoming vacant, give intimation
thereof in writing to the[Director of Estate];
(b) whether or not
such intimation is given, the [Director of Estates] may serve on the landlord
by post or otherwise a notice-
(i)
informing him that the premises are required by the Government for such period
as may be specified in the notice; and
(ii) requiring him,
and every person claiming under him, to deliver possession of the premises
forthwith to such officer or person as may be specified in the notice:
Provided that where the landlord has given the
intimations required by clause (a), no notice shall be issued by the Director
of Estates] under clause (b) more than seven days after the delivery to him of
the intimation:
Provided further that nothing in this sub-
section shall apply in respect of any premises the possession of which has been
obtained by the landlord on the basis of any order made on the ground set forth
in clause (e) of the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14 or in respect of
any premises which have been released from requisition for the use and
occupation of the landlord himself.
(3) Upon the service of a notice under clause
(b) of sub-section (2), the premises shall be deemed to have been leased to the
Government for the period specified in the notice, as from the date of the
delivery of the intimation under clause (a) of sub-section (2) or in case where
no such intimation has been given, as from the date on which possession of the
premises in delivered in pursuance of the notice, and the other terms of the
lease shall be such as may be agreed upon between the Government and the
landlord or in default of agreement, as may be determined by the Controller, in
accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(4) In every case where the landlord has in
accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2) given intimation of any
premises becoming vacant and the premises are not taken on lease by the
Government under this section, the Government shall pay to the landlord a sum
equal to one-fifty second of the standard rent per year of the premises.
(5) Any premises taken of lease by the Government under this section may be put to any such use as the Government thinks fit, and in particulars, the Government may permit the use of the premises for the purposes of any public institution or any foreign embassy, legation or consulate or any High Commissioner or Trade Commissioner, or as a residence by any officer in the service of the Government or of a foreign embassy, legation or consulate or of a High Commissioner or Trade Commissioner.
48. Penalties
(1) If any person contravenes any of the provisions of section 5, he shall be punishable
(a) In the case of a contravention
of the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 5, with simple imprisonment for
a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to a sum
which exceeds the unlawful charge claimed or received under sub-section by one
thousand rupees, or with both;
(b) In the case of a
contravention of the provisions of sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) of
section 5, with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months,
or with fine which may extend to a sum which exceeds the amount or value or
unlawful charge claimed or received under the said sub-section (2) or
sub-section (3), as the case may be, by five thousand rupees, or with both.
(2) If any tenant sub-lets; assigns or
otherwise parts with the possession of the whole or part of any premises in
contravention of the provisions of clause (b) of the proviso to sub-section (1)
of section 14, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand
rupees
[(3) If any landlord re-lets or transfers the
whole or any part of any premises in contravention of the provisions of
sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 19 he shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months , or with fine, or with
both]
(4) If any landlord contravenes the provisions
of sub-section (1) of section 45, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for
a term which may extend to three months or with fine, or with both.
(5) If any landlord fails to comply with
provisions of section 46 he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to
one hundred rupees.
(6) If any person contravenes the provisions of clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 47, or fails to comply with a requirement under clause (b) thereof, he shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
49. Cognizance of offences
(1) No court inferior to that of [Metropolitan
Magistrate] shall try any offence punishable under this Act.
(2) No court shall take cognizance of an
offences punishable under this Act, unless the complaint in respect of the
offences has been made within three months from the date of the offence has
been made within three months from the date of the commission of the offence.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in [section 29 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)] it shall be lawful for any [Metropolitan Magistrate] to pass a sentence of fine exceeding [five thousand rupees] on a person convicted of an offence punishable under this Act.
Chapter VIII -
50. Jurisdiction of civil courts barred in respect of certain matters
(1) Save a otherwise expressly provided in
this Act, no civil court shall entertain any suit or proceeding in so far as it
relates to the fixation of standard rent in relation to any premises to which
this Act applies or to eviction of any tenant there from or to any other matter
which the Controller is empowered by or under this Act to decide, and no
injunction in respect of any action taken or to be taken by the Controller
under this Act shall be granted by any civil court or other authority.
(2) If, immediately before the commencement of
this Act, there is any suit or proceeding pending in any civil court for the
eviction of any tenant from any premises to which this Act applies and the
construction of which has been completed after the 1st day of June, 19951, but
before the 9th day of June, 1955, such suit or proceeding shall, on such
commencement , abate.
(3) If, in pursuance of any decree or order
made by a court, any tenant has been evicted after the 16th day of August,
1958, from any premises to which this Act applies and the construction of which
has been completed after the 1st day of June, 1951, but before the 9th day of
June, 1955, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the
Controller may, on an application made to him in this behalf by such evicted
tenant within six months from the date of eviction, direct the landlord to put
the tenant in possession of the premises or to pay him such compensation as the
Controller thinks fit.
(4) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be construed as prevailing a civil court from entertaining any suit or proceeding for the decision of any question of title to any premises to which this Act applies or any question as to the person or persons who are entitled to receive the rent of such premises.
51. Controllers to be public servants
All Controllers and additional Controllers appointed under this Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)
52. Protection of action taken in good faith
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any Controller or additional Controller in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act.
53. Amendment of the Delhi Tenants Temporary Protection Act, 1956
54. Saving of operation of certain enactment's
54. Saving of operation of certain enactments.
�
Nothing in this Act shall affect the provisions of the Administration of Evacuee Property Act, 1950 (31 of 1950), or the Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance ) Act, 1956 (96 of 1956), or the Delhi Tenants (Temporary Protection ) Act, 1956 (97 of 1956).
55. Special provisions regarding decrees affected by the Delhi Tenants (Temporary Protection) Act, 1956
55. Special provisions regarding decrees
affected by the Delhi Tenants (Temporary Protection ) Act, 1956. �
Where any decree or order for the recovery of possession of any premises to this the Delhi Tenants (Temporary Protection) Act, 1956 (97 of 1956), applies is sought to be executed on the cesser of operation of that Act in relation to those premises, the court executing the decree of order may, on the application of the person against whom the decree or order has been passed or otherwise, reopen the case and if it is satisfied that the decree or order could not have been passed if this Act had been in force on the date of decree or order, the court may, having regard to the provisions of this Act, set aside the decree or order or pass such other order in relation thereto as it thinks fit.
56. Power to makes rules
(1) The Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of
this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to
the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of
the following matters, namely:-
(a) The manner of
approval of valuers and procedure to be followed by
such valuers under the proviso to sub-section (2) of
section 9;]
(aa)
The form and manner in which, and the period within which, an application may
be made to the Controller;
(b) The form and
manner in which an application for deposit or rent may be made and the
particulars which it may contain;
(c) The manner in
which a Controller may hold an inquiry under this Act;
(d) The powers of the
civil court which may be vested in a Controller;
(e) The form and
manner in which an application for appeal or transfer of proceeding may be made
to the Tribunal
(g) Any other matter
which has to be, or may be, prescribed.
[(3) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one sessions or in two or more successive session, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive session aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so; however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.]
57. Repeal and saving
(1) The Delhi and Ajmer
Rent Control Act, 1952 (38 of 1952) in so far as it is applicable to the Union
territory of Delhi, is hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, all suits and
other proceedings under the said Act pending, at the commencement of this Act,
before any court or other authority shall be continued and disposed of in
accordance with the provisions of the said Act, as if the said Act had
continued in force and this Act had not been passed:
Provided that in any such suit or proceeding for
the fixation of standard rent or for the eviction of a tenant from any premises
to which section 54 does not apply, the court or other authority shall have
regard to the provisions of this Act:
Provided further that the provisions for appeal under the said Act shall continue in force in respect of suits and proceedings disposed of thereunder.
Schedules. The First Schedule
The urban areas within the limits of the Municipal
Corporation of Delhi to which the Act extends
The areas which, immediately before the 7th
April, 1958, were included in-
1. the Municipality of New Delhi excluding the
are specified in the First Schedule to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957
(66 of 1957);
2. the Municipal Committee, Delhi;
3. the Notified Area Committee, Civil Station,
Delhi;
4. the Municipal Committee, Delhi �Shahdara,
5. the Notified Area Committee, Red Fort;
6. the Municipal Committee, West Delhi;
7. the South Delhi Municipal Committee;
8. the Notified Area Committee, Mehrauli.
The Second Schedule
Basic Rent
1. In this Schedule, "basic rent" in
relation to any premises let out before the 2nd June, 1944, means the original
rent of such premises referred to in paragraph 2 increased by such percentage
of the original rent as is specified in paragraph 3 or paragraph 4 or paragraph
5, as the case may be.
(2) "Original rent" , in relation to
premises referred to in paragraph I, means �
(a) Where the rent of
such premises has been fixed under the New Delhi House Rent Control Order,
1939,or the Delhi Rent Control Ordinance, 1944 (25 of 1944), the rent so fixed,
or
(b) In any other case,
(i)
The rent at which the premise sere let on the 1st November, 1939,or
(ii) If the premises
were not let on that date, the rent at which they were first let out at any
time after that date but before the 2nd June, 1944.
3. Where the premises to which paragraph 2 applies
are let out for the purpose of being used as a residence or for any of the
purpose of public hospital, an educational institution a public library or
reading room or an orphanage, the basic rent of the premises shall be the
original rent increased by-
(a) 12-1/2 per cent.
thereof, if the original rent per annum is not more than Rs.
300;
(b) 15-5/8 per cent,
thereof, if the original rent pr annum is more than Rs.
300 but not more than Rs. 600
(c) 18-3/4 per cent,
thereof, if the original rent per annum is more than Rs.
600 but not more than Rs. 1,200;
(d) 25 per cent,
thereof, if the original rent per annum is more than Rs.
1,200.
4. Where the premises to which paragraph 2
applies are let out for any purpose other than those mentioned in paragraph 3,
he basic rent of the premises shall be the original rent increased by twice the
amount by which it would be increased under paragraph 3, if the premises were
let for a purpose mentioned in that paragraph.
5. Where the premises to which paragraph 2 applies are used mainly as a residence and incidentally for business or profession, the basic rent of the premises shall be the mean of the rent as calculated under paragraph 3 and 4.
The Third Schedule
Form of summons in a case where recovery of
possession of premises is prayed for on the ground of bona fide requirement or
under Section 14A
To
[Name, description and place of residence of
the tenant]
Whereas Shri�����..has
filed an application a copy of which is annexed) for your eviction from (here
insert the particulars of the premises) on the ground specified in clause (e)
of the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14, or under section 14A;
You are hereby summoned to appear before the
Controller within fifteen days of the service hereof and to obtain the leave of
the Controller to contest the application eviction on the ground aforesaid; in
default whereof, the applicant will be entitled at any time after the expiry of
the said period of fifteen days to obtain an order for your eviction from the
said premises.
Leave to appear and contest the application
may be obtained on an application to the Controller supported by an affidavit
as is referred to in sub-section (5) of section 25B.
Given under my hand and seal
This ����..day of����..19..Controller]
Rules. Chapter I
1. Short title.-
These rules may be called the Delhi Rent
Control Rules, 1959.
2. Definitions. �
In these rules, unless the context otherwise
requires:-
(a) "Act" means the Delhi Rent
Control Act, 1958;
(b) "Form" means form appended to
these rules;
(c) "Recognized agent" means a
person holding a power of attorney authorizing him to act on behalf of his
principal or an agent empowered by written authority under the hand of his
principal;
(d) "Section" means a section of the
Act.
(e) "Valuer"
means a graduate in civil engineering, architecture or town planning of a
recognized university, or a person who possesses a qualification recognized by
the Central Government for recruitment to superior services or posts under the
Central Government in the filed of civil engineering, architecture or town
planning; and
(A) He must be a person formerly employed-
(a) In a post under
Government as a Gazette Officer; or
(b) In a post under
any other employer carrying a remuneration of not less than Rs.
2000 per month, and, in either case, must have retired or resigned from such
employment after having rendered service for not less than five years as a valuer, architect, or town planner, or in the filed on
construction of building designing of structures, or development of land; or
(c) As a professor,
reader or lecture in a university, college or any other institution preparing
students for a degree in civil engineering, architecture or town planning or has
retired or resigned from such employment after having taught for not less than
five years any of the subject of valuation, quantity surveying, building
construction, architecture, or town planning ; or
(B) He must have been in practice as a
consulting engineer, surveyor or architect for a period of not less than five
years and must have in the opinion of the Rent Controller acquired sufficient
experience in any of the following fields:-
(a) Valuation of
building and urban lands;
(a) Valuation of building
and urban lands;
(b) Quantity surveying
in building construction
(c) Architectural or
structural designing of building or town planning; or
(d) Construction of buildings or development of land.]
Chapter II
CHAPTERII
APPLICATION TO THE CONTROLLER
3. Application under section9, 13, 14 or
19(1). �
(1) Every application to the Controller under
section 9, section 13, section 14 or sub-section (1) of section 19 shall be in
Form �A�.
(2) An application under section 13 shall also
give particulars of the sum or consideration paid, the circumstances under
which such payment was made and the provisions of the Act, or of the Delhi-Ajmer Rent Control Act, 1952, which has been contravened.
(3) An application for permission to re-let
premises under sub-section (1) of section 19 shall also state the ground on
which the premises are sought to re-let in whole or in part.
4. Application for re-enter. �
An application by a tenant under sub-section
(2) of section 19 or under sub-section (3) of section 20 for putting him in
possession of the premises of part thereof shall be made within six months from
the date on which the cause of action for re-entry arises and shall state the
grounds on which such possession in claimed.
5. Application for recovery of possession
under section 21. �
An application recovery of possession under
section 21 by the landlord shall be made within six months from the date of
expiry of the period of tenancy.
6. Form of other application. �
An application not herein before specified in
these rules shall, so far as may be, made in Form �A� and shall state the
grounds on which it is made.
7. Manner in which application are to be made.
�
(1) Every application under the Act shall be
signed and verified in the manner prescribed under rules 14 and 15 of Order VI
of the First Schedule to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and shall be
presented by the applicant or his recognized agent to the Controller.
(2) Every such application shall be
accompanied by a copy or sufficient number of copies thereof for service on the
respondent on respondents mentioned therein.
8. Appearance before Controller. �
A party may appear before the Controller
either in person or by a recognized agent provided that if the Controller so
directs the party shall appear in person.
[8.A Form of report of valuation by valuer. �
(1) The report of valuation by a valuer in respect of the premised shall be in Form
"F".
Fees-(2) The amount of fees to be paid to the valuer shall be such as may be decided by the Rent Controller.]
Chapter III
CHAPTERIII
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF RENT
9. Receipt of rent. �
A receipt required to be given by the landlord
or his authorized agent under sub-section (2) of section 26 in respect of rent
paid for any premises shall be in Form �B�.
10. Deposit of rent. �
(1) A deposit of rent under section 27 shall
be made in cash and shall be accompanied by an application by the tenant in
Form "C".
(2) On such deposit being made, the Controller
shall send a copy or copies of the application accompanying the deposit, by
registered post with acknowledgement due, at the cost of the applicant, to the
landlord or persons claiming to be entitled to the rent with an endorsement or
the date of the deposit.
11. Payment of the rent deposited. �
The Controller shall order the amount of rent
deposited to be paid to the landlord or persons entitled to the rent either in
cash or be cheque.
12. Accounting of deposits. �
deposited shall be treated as civil court deposits and accounted for and Subject to the provisions of section 29, all sums dealt with according to the rules of civil court deposits in force in civil courts in Delhi.
Chapter IV
HOTEL AND LODGING HOUSES
13. Recovery of possession from the lodger. �
An application by the manager of a hotel or
the owner of a lodging house for a certificate under section 34 shall
contain the grounds for the recovery of
possession from the lodger of accommodation provided to him and shall be made
in writing and accompanied by an affidavit in support of the allegations
contained therein.
A certificate issued under section 34 by the
Controller shall be sent to the manager of the hotel or the owner of the
lodging house concerned with a copy thereof to the lodger concerned by
registered post with acknowledgement due.
15. Display of notice of fair rates. �
The manager of every hotel or the owner of
every lodging house shall display a notice of the fair rates fixed by the Controller
and a copy of the relevant provisions of the Act and rules relating thereto in
a conspicuous manner in the hotel or lodging house, as the case may be.
16. Application to the Controller. �
Every application to the Controller under
Chapter V of the Act including an application for certificate under section 34
shall be in Form �D� and shall be delivered to the Controller either in person
or through a recognized agent or sent to his office by registered post.
CHAPTER V
APPEAL AND TRANSFER APPLICATION
17. Form of Appeal.-
(1) Every appeal to the Rent Control Tribunal
under section 38 shall be preferred in the form of memorandum signed by the
appellant or his recognized agent and presented either in person or through a
recognizes agent to the Tribunal or to such office as it may appoint in this
behalf.
(2) Every such memorandum shall be accompanied
by a copy of the order of the Controller appealed from and shall set forth
concisely and under distinct heads, the grounds of objection to the order appealed
from without any argument or narrative, and such grounds shall be numbered
consecutively.
18. Application for transfer of proceeding. �
An application for transfer of proceeding under
sub-section (4) of section 38 shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the
allegations contained in the application.
19. Appearance before Tribunal. �
A party may appear before the Rent Control Tribunal either in person or by a recognized agent provided that if the Rent Control Tribunal so directs the party shall appear in person.
Chapter V
APPEAL AND TRANSFER APPLICATION
17. Form of Appeal.-
(1) Every appeal to the Rent Control Tribunal under section 38 shall be preferred in the form of memorandum signed by the appellant or his recognized agent and presented either in person or through a recognizes agent to the Tribunal or to such office as it may appoint in this behalf.
(2) Every such memorandum shall be accompanied by a copy of the order of the Controller appealed from and shall set forth concisely and under distinct heads, the grounds of objection to the order appealed from without any argument or narrative, and such grounds shall be numbered consecutively.
18. Application for transfer of proceeding. �
An application for transfer of proceeding under sub-section (4) of section 38 shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the allegations contained in the application.
19. Appearance before Tribunal. �
A party may appear before the Rent Control Tribunal either in person or by a recognized agent provided that if the Rent Control Tribunal so directs the party shall appear in person.
Chapter VI
PROCESS FEES
20. Process Fees.-
(1) Process fees for processes under the Act
shall be levied as prescribed in the rules made by the Punjab High Court under
section 20 of the Court Fees Act, 1870, as to cost of processes in civil court.
(2) For the purposes of this rule, the
Controller shall be deemed to be a Civil Court of Third Grade and the court of
the Rent Control Tribunal shall be deemed to be a Civil Court of Second Grade .
Chapter VII
NOTICES
21. Notice relating to sub- tenancy . �
A notice creation or termination of
sub-tenancy required under section 17 shall be in Form �E�.
22. Service of notice, etc. �
Unless otherwise provided by the Act, any
notice or intimation required or authorized by the Act to be served on any
person shall be served,-
(a) By delivering it to the person; or
(d) Construction of buildings or development of land.]
Chapter VIII
MISSCALLANEOUS
23. Code of Civil Procedure to be generally
followed. �
In deciding any question relating to procedure
not specifically provided by the Act and these rules the Controller and the
Rent Control Tribunal shall ,as far as possible, be guided by the provisions
contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
24. Registers to be maintained by the
Controller and Tribunal �
The Controller and Rent Control Tribunal shall maintain such of the registers prescribed for use in civil courts in Delhi as may be necessary.