17. No fine to be exacted for licence to assign

In all leases containing a covenant, condition or agreement against assigning, under-letting or parting with the possession, or disposing of the property leased without licence or consent, that covenant, condition or agreement shall, unless the lease contains an expressed provision to the contrary, be deemed to be subject to a proviso to the effect that no fine or sum of money in the nature of a fine shall be payable for or in respect of the licence or consent; but that proviso shall not preclude the right to require the payment of a reasonable sum in respect of any legal or other expense incurred in relation to the licence or consent.

This section shall apply to leases made before, on or after 1 August 1886.