Section 44 of Delhi Rent Control Act - Landlord's duty to keep the premises in good repair

Section 44: Landlord's duty to keep the premises in good repair - Delhi Rent Control Act 1958

(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 so 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 inquiries 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.