Where any amount has been paid by any person whether before or after the commencement of this Act,--
         (a) on account of rent, being an amount which is by reason of the provisions of this Act, not recoverable, or
         (b) as premium, pugree, fine, advance or other like sum in addition to the rent, the receiving of which is prohibited under this Act,
the court may, on an application made to it in this behalf at any time within a period of six months from the date of such payment, direct the landlord by whom or on whose behalf the amount was received to refund the amount to such person or, if such person is a tenant, direct that the amount so paid shall be deducted from the rent payable by the tenant to the landlord.