Landlord and tenant; noncompliance as defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent.

Property; landlord and tenant; noncomplianceas defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent. Removesprovisions limiting the discretion of the court in actions for possessionbased upon nonpayment of rent and actions for rent by a landlordwhen the tenant is in possession. The bill simplifies the law; statingonly that, in such cases, a tenant may assert as a defense the landlord'sviolation of his duty to maintain a fit and habitable premises.