(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] [Added by Act 57 of 1988, section 14 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988).].

(2)

Every tenant who makes a payment of rent to his landlord shall be entitled to obtain forthwith from the landlord or his authorised agent a written receipt for the amount paid to him, signed by the landlord or his authorised agent:

[Provided that it shall be open to the tenant to remit the rent to his landlord by postal money order.] [Inserted by Act 57 of 1988, section 14 (w.e.f. 1-12-1988)]

(3)

If the landlord or his authorised 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 authorised agent, by order direct the landlord or his authorised 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.