(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 111.
Explanation.—"Good ami tenantahb r-'pjiiV under this sK;tion and section 20 shall mean such repairs as shall keep the premises in (he same coudition 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 A of Schedule III, without which the premises arc not habitable or useable except with undue inconvenience are to be made and the landlord neglects or fails to make them within a period of three months 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 thfe 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 tlhan twenty-rive per cent, of the rent for a month:
Provided further that where there are more tfhan 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 useable except with undue inconvenience and the tenant had agreed 'io take the same in that condition;
(b) after being let out was caused to be not habitable or meable except with undue inconvenience by the tenant.