Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 55 Part 1.djvu/816

 55 STAT.] 77TH CONG. , 1ST SESS.-CH. 553-DEC. 2, 1941 section shall be the maximum-rent ceiling or minimum-service stand- ard for the housing accommodations subject thereto; except that in the event that the adjustment order is stayed or set aside by the court in accordance with section 9 of this Act, the maximum-rent ceiling and minimum-service standard theretofore applicable to such housing accommodations under this Act shall remain in full force and effect. SEC. 5. PROHIBITIONS.-(a) It shall be unlawful, regardless of any agreement, lease, or other obligation heretofore or hereafter entered into, for any person to demand or receive any rent in excess of the maximum-rent ceiling, or refuse to supply any service required by the minimum-service standard, or otherwise to do or omit to do any act in violation of any provision of this Act or of any regulation, order, or other requirement thereunder, or to offer or agree to do any of the foregoing. Nothing herein shall be construed to require the refund of any rent paid or payable for the use or occupancy of hous- ing accommodations prior to the 30th day following the enactment of this Act. (b) No action or proceeding to recover possession of housing accom- modations shall be maintainable by any landlord against any tenant, notwithstanding that the tenant has no lease or that his lease has expired, so long as the tenant continues to pay the rent to which the landlord is entitled, unless- (1) The tenant is (a) violating an obligation of his tenancy (other than an obligation to pay rent higher than rent permitted under this Act or any regulation or order thereunder applicable to the housing accommodations involved or an obligation to sur- render possession of such accommodations) or (b) is committing a nuisance or using the housing accommodations for an immoral or illegal purpose or for other than living or dwelling purposes, or (2) The landlord seeks in good faith to recover possession of the property for his immediate and personal use and occupancy as a dwelling, or (3) The landlord has in good faith contracted in writing to sell the property for immediate and personal use and occupancy as a dwelling by the purchaser and that the contract of sale con- tains a representation by the purchaser that the property is being purchased by him for such immediate and personal use and occupancy, or (4) The landlord seeks in good faith to recover possession for the immediate purpose of substantially altering, remodeling, or demolishing the property and replacing it with new construction, the plans for which altered, remodeled, or new construction hav- ing been filed with and approved by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, or attempt to remove, from any housing accommodations the tenant or occupant thereof or to refuse to renew lease or agreement for the use of such accommodations because such tenant or occupant has taken or purposes to take action authorized or required by this Act or any regulation, order, or requirement thereunder. SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATOR. -T here is hereby created in and for the Dis- trict of Columbia the office of Administrator of Rent Control. The Administrator shall be appointed by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia and shall be a bona fide resident of the District of Colum- bia for not less than three years prior to his appointment. He shall devote his full time to the Office of Administrator and shall receive a salary at the rate of $7,500 per annum. The Administrator shall estab- lish offices, acquire supplies and equipment, and employ such per- 791 Rent refund. Recovery of posses- sion of housing ac- commodations. Unlawful to remove tenant for taking ac- tion. Administrator of Rent Control. Offices, supplies, etc.

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