(1)

(a) No tenant shall, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, be liable to pay to the landlord for the occupation of any premises any amount in excess of fair rent of the premises, unless such amount is lawful increase of the fair rent in accordance with the provision of this Act.

(b) Subject to the provisions of clause (a), any agreement for payment of rent in excess of fair rent shall be construed as an agreement for the payment of fair rent only.

(2)

Fair rent shall be paid within the time fixed by the contract or, in the absence of any such contract, by the fifteenth day of the next month following the month for which it is payable, provided the tenant may pay the rent payable for any month at any time during such month before it falls due.