13.
(1) Where the board is satisfied, on application made by the tenant of any premises, or on an inspection of such premises carried out by it or under its authority, that the landlord-
| | (a) has without reasonable cause discontinued or withheld any amenities previously provided for the benefit of the tenant; or | | |
| | (b) has failed to carry out any repairs or redecoration necessary in the opinion of the board to maintain the premises in proper condition, the board may make order directing the landlord to provide such amenities or to carry out such repairs or redecoration as may be specified in the order; and it shall be the duty of the landlord to comply with the provisions of such order before such date as may be specified in that behalf in the order, or within such extended period as may be allowed by the board on application made by the landlord. | | |
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(2) Where the board is satisfied that any delay in the provision of the amenities alleged to have been discontinued or withheld in an application made under sub-section (1) or that any delay in the carrying out of the repairs or redecoration which the landlord is alleged in any such application to have failed to carry out, will cause injury to the occupants of the premises or hazard to their health or permanent damage to the premises, or seriously inconvenience the occupants, the board shall, before making the final order on such application, make an interim order directing the landlord to provide such amenities or to carry out such repairs or redecoration without delay, notwithstanding that there may be pending in any court, at the time of such application, any other action or proceedings relating to such premises. |
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(3) The board shall in any order under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) directing the landlord to effect any repairs or redecoration authorize the tenant, in the event of the landlord failing to comply with the order, to carry out such repairs or redecoration and to incur for the purpose expenditure not exceeding such amount as may be specified in that behalf in the order; and where any repairs or redecoration are carried out by the tenant in pursuance of the authority so conferred, the tenant shall be entitled to set off against the rent payable in respect of the premises the expenditure actually incurred by him for the purpose, or the amount specified in that behalf in the order, whichever is less. |
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(4) Where the tenant of any premises refuses to permit the landlord to carry out any repairs or redecoration necessary to maintain the premises in proper condition, the board may, on application made by the landlord, make order directing the tenant to permit the landlord to carry out such repairs or redecoration as may be specified in the order. |
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(5) The board may inspect or cause to be inspected periodically all premises within its area of jurisdiction for the purpose of ascertaining whether the premises are maintained in proper condition. |
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