19. Duties of landlord. –
(1) Subject to any contract in writing to the contrary, every landlord shall be bound to keep the premises in good and tenantable repairs in relation to matters falling under part A of Schedule III.
Explanation. – Good and tenantable repairs’ under this section and section 20 shall mean such repairs as shall keep the premises in the same condition in which it was let out except for the normal wear and tear.
(2) Where any repairs, in relation to a matter falling under Part of Schedule III, without which the premises are not habitable or usable except with under inconvenience are to be made and the landlord neglects or falls it make them within a period of three months a after notice in writing, the tenant may apply to the Rent Authority for permission to make such repairs himself and may submit to the Rent Authority an estimate of the cost of such repairs, and , thereupon, the Rent Authority may after giving the landlord an opportunity of being heard and after considering such estimate of the cost and making such inquiries as it 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 from rent in any year shall not exceed one- half of the rent payable by the tenant for that year and any amount remaining not recovered in that year shall be deducted or recovered from rent in the subsequent years at the rate of not more than twenty- five per cent. Of the rent for a month:
Provided further that where there are more than one premises owned by a landlord in a building , the tenants thereof may jointly carry out the repairs and share the expenses proportionately.
(3) Nothing in sub-section (2) shall apply to a premises which-
(a) At the time of letting out was not habitable or usable except with undue inconvenience and the tenant had agreed to take the same in that condition,
(b) After being let out was caused to be not habitable or usable except with undue inconvenience by the tenant.
