Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-25

Washington real estate men are
manifesting considerable interest in
the standard forms for leases of
apartments and houses drawn up by
the District rent commission this
week \ number claim that already
they have substantially similar forms
in use, while others do not favor
certain of the provisions laid down
by the commission.
The forms executed by the rent
board in accordance with the Ban
rent act contain clauses placing en-
tire responsibility for repairs to dwell
lings on the shoulders of the own
crs The only expenses borne by
tenants. besides the rent. are charges
for electricity, gas and telephone
services.
II was indicated that but few real
estate men would change to the pro-
posed standard at present If the
Supreme Court holds that the rent
commission is a legal body, however.
the local landlords and realtors Will
be compelled to submit to the COM
mission order.
Changes Were Considered.
The Real Estate Brokers Associa-
ton of Washington was engaged sew
eral months ago in discussing the
advisa bility of adopting a standard
form for sales and rentals contracts
progress being interrupted by the
suspension of activity during the sum-
mer. The association went so far as
TO appoint a committee to draw up
forms and a tentative sales contract
was presented for the consideration
of the realtors. Several members OBJ
iected to the standard forms on the
ground that those they were using
at the time We're better. Many
changes in the tentative forms We're
. suggested. AS result, the matter was
recommtted for further considera-
ton and nothing final was adopted.
With the resumption of activity by
the brokers association imminent.
il is regarded likely that the subject
of standard leases and sales contracts
will again be brought up The forms
proposed by the rent commission are
expected to cause much discussion in
this connection. Until the rent COM
mission is vested with power by the
United States Supreme Court. the
matter of promulgating its forms for
leases is one for which the Real
Estate Brokers Association may use
lis option, it was pointed out.
Standard Apartment Leases.
Provisions of the standard form for
apartment leases established by the
rent board follow:
The lessor doth hereby covenant
with the lessee. as follows:
Il. That the lessee, performing ana
observing all the covenants by the
lessee herein contained. may peace
ably hold and enjoy the said apart
ment during the said term without
any interruption by the lessor. or
any person claiming through him:
49, That in case the said apart
ment shall. at any time during the
said term, be partially destroyed or
damaged by fire. storm or unavoid-
able accident. the lessor shall and
will forthwith. as soon as con-
veniently may be thereafter. proceed
10 repair and put the same in as good
condition as the said apartment was
in before such fire. provided the dam
age be not caused by the willful
neglect of the lessee. and in case the
damage shall be so extensive as to
render the premises pntanantable. the
rent hereby reservedNhall cease. until
said apartment is put in good tenant
able order and condition, and all
liability for rent hereunder shall cease
upon payment of the rent proportion
ately to the date of the fire, storm or
unavoidable accident:
"3. That the lessor Will, from time