(a) As long as the tenant continues to pay the rent to which the owner is entitled, no tenant shall be denied a renewal lease or be removed from any housing accommodation by action to evict or to recover possession, by exclusion from possession, or otherwise, nor shall any person attempt such removal or exclusion from possession, except on one or more of the grounds specified in this Code.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove or attempt to remove any tenant from any housing accommodation or to refuse to renew the lease or rental agreement for the use of such housing accommodation, because such tenant has taken, or proposes to take any action authorized or required by the RSL or this Code, or any order of the DHCR.

(c) No tenant of any housing accommodation shall be removed or evicted unless and until such removal or eviction has been authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction on a ground authorized in this Part or under the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law.