8. The remedy provided in this section shall not be exclusive and a
court may provide such other relief as may be just and proper in the
circumstances. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or
deny any existing constitutional, statutory, administrative or common
law right of a tenant to contract and pay for the delivery of fuel oil
for the multiple dwelling in which he resides or to pay for the cost of
any other goods and services for such multiple dwelling. This section
shall not be construed to preclude any defense, counterclaim or cause of
action that may otherwise exist with respect to an owner's failure to
provide heat or any other service.
9. Any agreement by a tenant of a dwelling waiving or modifying his
rights as set forth in this section shall be void as contrary to public
policy.
10. The provisions of this section shall be liberally construed so as
to give effect to the purposes set forth herein.
* 11. Nothing contained in this section and no payment made pursuant
to this section shall be deemed to discharge the liability of a renter
with an interest in real property pursuant to subdivision two of section
three hundred four of the real property tax law from taxes levied on
such interest.
* NB (Effective pending ruling by Commissioner of Internal Revenue of
the United States)