(1) The rent of the holding of every absolute occupancytenant shall be fixed by the Settlement-officer at each settlement of the area in which the holding is comprised, and the rent so fixed shall not be altered during the currency of the settlements, except under the provisions of section thirteen, section fourteen, section fifteen or section seventeen.
     (2) The rent payable by any such tenant in respect of his holding at the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to have been fixed at the current settlement of the area in which his holding is comprised.