# Landlord cut your water? Go to the Rent Tribunal. > Not without just or sufficient cause (Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009, s.12(2)(a)). The Rent Tribunal can order him to restore it, or let the tenant restore it and recover the cost from rent (s.12(4)). - Topic: Property and inheritance - For: Citizens - A 11-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/landlord-cut-your-water-go-to-the-rent-tribunal-tenant-rights - Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-10 ## Myth or fact? What tenants are often told. - **Myth: He owns the house, so he can cut the gas or water to make me leave.** - **Fact: A landlord shall not cut off, suspend or withhold an amenity or utility without just or sufficient cause (Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009, s.12(2)(a)).** ## His duties. Section 12, subject to the agreement. - **A copy** Give the tenant a certified copy of the tenancy agreement. - **Repairs** Keep the premises in habitable condition. - **Taxes** Pay the tax, fee or charge on the premises. - **Privacy** No entry without reasonable notice. ## What the Tribunal can do. Section 12(4). > "The Rent Tribunal may– (a) … make an order directing the landlord to restore the amenity, utility or easement; (b) authorize a tenant to restore the amenity, utility or easement at his expense and defray the expenses allowed by the Rent Tribunal from the rent; and (c) if a landlord has failed to keep the premises in habitable condition, or to make necessary repairs, direct that such repairs may be made by the tenant at his expense and defray the expenses allowed by the Rent Tribunal from the rent." (Punjab Rented Premises Act, 2009 · Section 12(4)) ## Quick quiz. No repairs. Guess first, then swipe for the answer. - **A. Nothing, it is his house** - **B. You repair and recover it from rent** - **C. You simply stop paying rent** ## Answer: B. Through the Tribunal. Apply first, then deduct. - **Apply** The tenant may apply for an order against the landlord (s.12(3)). - **Allowed costs** The Tribunal decides what may be taken from the rent (s.12(4)(c)). - **Not self-help** Stopping rent on your own risks eviction for default (s.15(b)). ## Your duties. Section 13, subject to the agreement. - **Condition** Keep it as let, except normal wear and tear. - **Purpose** Use it only for the agreed purpose. - **Access** Allow inspection or repair. - **No changes** No structural change without written consent. ## When he can evict. Section 15. The six grounds. - **Time up** The tenancy period has expired. - **Default** Rent unpaid 30 days after it was due. - **Breach** Of the agreement, or of a duty under s.13. - **Misuse** Different purpose, or sub-letting without written consent. ## During the case. Keep paying, keep proof. - **Deposit rent** The Tribunal orders the rent deposited till the final order (s.24(1)). - **Miss it** The Tribunal passes the final order forthwith (s.24(4)). - **Even if denied** Interim rent is fixed even when the tenancy is denied (PLD 2016 Lah. 123). - **Four months** Final order not later than four months (s.27). ## Trouble with your landlord? Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it. - **My landlord disconnected the gas to force me out. What can I do in Rawalpindi?** - **Draft an application to the Rent Tribunal under section 12 for restoring a utility.** ## What this does not mean - The sections here come from the Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009, so this carousel speaks to rented premises in Punjab. - The rule bars cutting an amenity or utility without just or sufficient cause. It does not say a landlord can never cut one. - It does not let a tenant stop paying rent on his own. Only the costs the Rent Tribunal allows come out of rent, and stopping rent risks eviction for default (s.15(b)). ## Questions people ask ### Can a landlord cut off gas or water to force a tenant out in Pakistan? In Punjab, a landlord shall not cut off, suspend or withhold an amenity or utility without just or sufficient cause (Punjab Rented Premises Act 2009, s.12(2)(a)). ### Where can a tenant complain if the landlord disconnects a utility? The tenant may apply to the Rent Tribunal for an order against the landlord (s.12(3)). The Tribunal can direct the landlord to restore it, or let the tenant restore it and recover the allowed cost from rent (s.12(4)). ### Can a tenant stop paying rent if the landlord does not do repairs? No, not on your own. Apply to the Rent Tribunal first. It can direct that repairs be made by the tenant and decide what may be taken from the rent (s.12(4)(c)). ### When can a landlord evict a tenant in Punjab? Section 15 sets out six grounds. They include expiry of the tenancy, rent unpaid 30 days after it was due, breach of the agreement or of a duty under s.13, and use for a different purpose or sub-letting without written consent. ### Do I have to pay rent while the rent case is going on? Yes. The Tribunal orders the rent deposited till the final order (s.24(1)), and if you miss it the final order is passed forthwith (s.24(4)). Interim rent is fixed even when the tenancy is denied (PLD 2016 Lah. 123). ## Sources - Punjab Rented Premises Act, 2009 · Section 12(4): Obligations of landlord --- Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. FAI Media is part of FAI Legal (https://failegal.site), research on Pakistani statutes and judgments. Free to watch and read.