Regulating the Rentals for Dwelling Units

June 17, 1970

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6126

AN ACT TO REGULATE RENTALS OF DWELLING UNITS OR OF LAND ON WHICH ANOTHER'S DWELLING IS LOCATED FOR ONE YEAR AND PENALIZING VIOLATIONS THEREOF

SECTION 1. No lessor of a dwelling unit or of land on which another's dwelling is located shall, during the period of one year from March 31, 1970, increase the monthly rental agreed upon between the lessor and the lessee prior to the approval of this Act when said rental does not exceed three hundred pesos (P300.00) a month.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. —

Rentals shall mean the amount paid for the use of dwelling units or of land on which another's dwelling is located whether payment is made on a fifteen-day monthly or other basis. casia

A dwelling unit refers to a house and lot used for residential purposes and shall include not only buildings, parts or units thereof used solely as dwelling places, excepts motels, hotels or hotel rooms; but also those used for home industries or retails stores if the owner thereof and his family actually live therein: Provided, That in case of a retail store, the capital does not exceed five thousand pesos.

Land refers to the lot leased by one who owns the dwelling thereon.

Lessees shall mean the persons and/or their families renting the dwelling place, as well as sub-lessees.

Lessors shall include the owners of the dwelling place and/or the residential site or the administrator or agent of such owners, as well as sub-lessors.

SECTION 3. For the period of one year from the effectivity of this Act, no lessor of a dwelling unit or of land on which another's dwelling is located may demand a deposit, for any purpose, of any amount in excess of two months' rental in advance.

SECTION 4. The provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 1673 of the Civil Code insofar as they refer to dwelling units or land on which another's dwelling is located shall be suspended for the period of one year from the effectivity of this Act; but other provisions of the Civil Code and the Rules of Court of the Philippines on lease contracts, insofar as they are not in conflict with provisions of this Act, shall apply.

SECTION 5. Any person violating any provisions of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than three months nor more than two years and a fine of not less than one thousand pesos not more than two thousand pesos.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 17, 1970

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 66, No. 34, p. 7795 on August 24, 1970