SEC. 165.07. REMEDIES.

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,685, Eff. 8/4/25.)

In any action by a landlord to recover possession of residential real property, the tenant may raise as an affirmative defense the failure of the landlord to comply with this article. In addition, any landlord who violates this article shall be liable in a civil action to the affected tenant. A tenant prevailing in court under this article shall be awarded three times compensatory damages (including, if applicable, as compensation for mental or emotional distress and/or for reimbursement for failure to pay the amount of relocation assistance required under Section 165.06 of this article), reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, civil penalties up to $10,000 but not less than $2,000 per violation depending upon the severity of the violation, and other appropriate relief, as adjudged by the court. If a tenant prevailing under this article is older than 65 years or disabled when the violation occurred, the court may impose additional civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation depending upon the severity of the violation. Violations of this Article shall be a misdemeanor.