Cabinet okays new rent bill for Delhi to replace 1958 laws
12 Jul 2013
The union cabinet has approved in principle a new bill to regulate rent in Delhi, which will replace the Rent Act of 1958. The decks are now cleared for the bill to be brought in parliament.
The 1958 Act was earlier sought to be replaced by a new legislation in 1995, but that was never notified even after its enactment because of a huge controversy, with tenants up in arms over it.
''In principle approval was given for withdrawal of the (rent) Act,'' information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari said after the cabinet meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.
However, no details were given about the new Bill that will be brought to replace the earlier Act.
The archaic law of 1958 protects the migrant population from arbitrary rent hikes by landlords. The law protects tenants who pay a paltry rent; but also led to harassment by helpless landlords who cannot increase rent despite massive inflation.