Hussan v. Authorised Officer, Colombo Rent Board – sllr 1999 volume 2 page 360

In the case between Hussan (petitioner) and the Authorised Officer, Colombo Rent Board (respondent), the court addressed whether an agreement for leasing residential premises for five years under section 29(2) of the Rent Act required notarial attestation in line with section 2 of the Prevention of Frauds Ordinance. It was held that, as the agreement was not notarially executed, it was void, and thus no legal duty to vacate the premises at the end of the lease term could arise under section 29(3) of the Rent Act. This determination reaffirmed the principle that statutory formalities for the validity of long-term leases are mandatory, relying on the relevant sections of the Rent Act and Prevention of Frauds Ordinance, underscoring that procedural requirements cannot be waived by agreement o