(a) Lease form. Eligible tenants shall be required to execute a lease in a form approved by the Commissioner.
(b) Prohibited lease provisions. Lease clauses of the nature described below shall not be included in new leases or occupancy agreements covered by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and shall be deleted from existing leases and agreements either by amendment thereto or by execution of a new lease or agreement.
(1) Confession of judgment. Prior consent by the tenant:
(i) To any lawsuit the landlord may bring against the tenant in connection with the lease; and
(ii) To a judgment in favor of the landlord.
(2) Distraint for rent or other charges. Agreement by the tenant that the landlord is authorized to take property of the tenant and hold it as a pledge until the tenant performs an obligation which the landlord has determined that tenant has failed to perform.
(3) Exculpatory clauses. Agreement by the tenant not to hold the landlord or the landlord's agents liable for any acts or omissions, whether intentional or negligent, on the part of the landlord or the landlord's authorized representatives or agents.
(4) Waiver of legal notice by tenant before actions for eviction or money judgment. Agreement by the tenant that the landlord may institute suit without notice to the tenant that the suit has been filed.
(5) Waiver of legal proceedings. Authorization to the landlord to evict the tenant or hold or sell the tenant's possessions whenever the landlord determines that a breach or default has occurred, without notice to the tenant or determination by a court of the rights and liabilities of the parties.
(6) Waiver of jury trial. Authorization to the landlord's lawyer to appear in court on behalf of the tenant and waive the right to a trial by jury.
(7) Waiver of right to appeal judicial error in legal proceeding. Authorization to the landlord's lawyer to waive the tenant's right:
(i) To appeal for judicial error in any suit brought against the tenant by the landlord or the landlord's agents; or
(ii) To file suit to prevent the execution of a judgment.
(8) Tenant chargeable with cost of legal actions regardless of outcome. Provision that the tenant agrees to pay attorney's fees or other legal costs if the landlord brings legal action against the tenant even if the tenant prevails in the action. Prohibition of this type of provision does not mean that the tenant, as a party to lawsuit, may not be obligated to pay attorney's fees or other costs if the tenant loses the suit.
[51 FR 21863, June 16, 1986]