Eviction under Section 24 of Maharashtra Rent Control Act

Section 24 of the Maharashtra Rent Control Act of 1999 is very important as it states, after the expiration of the duration or cancellation if License fails to vacate the premises then Licensor can approach the Competent Authority for the recovery of possession of the licensed premises and can also get the damages from the Licensee.

This section states –

“(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a licensee in possession or occupation of premises given to him on license for residence shall deliver possession of such premises to the landlord on expiry of the period of license; and on the failure of the licensee to so deliver the possession of the licensed premises, a landlord shall be entitled to recover possession of such premises from a licensee, on the expiry of the period of license, by making an application to the Competent Authority, and, the Competent Authority, on being satisfied that the period of license has expired, shall pass an order for eviction of a licensee.

(2) Any licensee who does not deliver possession of the premises to the landlord on expiry of the period of license and continues to be in possession of the licensed premises till he is dispossessed by the Competent Authority shall be liable to pay damages at double the rate of the license fee or charge of the premises fixed under the agreement of license.

(3) The Competent Authority shall not entertain any claim of whatever nature from any other person who is not a licensee according to the agreement of license.

Explanation- For the purposes of this section,-

(a) the expression “landlord” includes a successor-in-interest who becomes the landlord of the premises as a result of death of such landlord; but does not include a tenant or a sub-tenant who has given premises on license;

(b) an agreement of license in writing shall be conclusive evidence of the fact stated therein.”