Rocklin Municipal Code Art. XI Enforcement and Penalties

If a landlord demands, accepts, receives or retains any payment of rent in excess of the maximum allowable rent permitted by this chapter, a tenant or homeowner may take any or all of the following actions until compliance is achieved:

A. A tenant or homeowner may withhold up to the full amount of his or her periodic rent which is charged or demanded by the landlord under this chapter. In any action to recover possession based on nonpayment of rent, possession shall not be granted where the tenant or homeowner has withheld rent in good faith under this section.

B. A tenant or homeowner may seek injunctive relief on behalf of himself or herself to restrain the landlord from demanding or receiving any rent on the unit until the landlord has complied with this chapter.

C. A tenant or homeowner may file a damage suit against the landlord for actual damages when the landlord receives or retains any rent in excess of the maximum rent allowed under this chapter. Upon proof of bad faith on the part of the landlord in connection with such receipt or retention of rent, the tenant or homeowner shall receive a judgment of up to five hundred dollars in addition to any actual damages.

(Ord. 594 § 2 (part), 1988).

The city attorney may bring an action for injunctive relief on behalf of the city seeking compliance by landlords with this chapter.

(Ord. 594 § 2 (part), 1988).

It shall be unlawful for any landlord to demand, accept, receive or retain any payment of rent in excess of the maximum allowable rent permitted by this chapter.

(Ord. 594 § 2 (part), 1988).

A. No landlord shall in any way retaliate against any homeowner or tenant for the homeowner's or tenant's assertion or exercise of any right under this chapter. Such retaliation shall be subject to suit for actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorney's fees. Such retaliation shall also be an available defense in an unlawful detainer action.

B. No homeowner or tenant shall in any way retaliate against any landlord for the landlord's assertion or exercise of any right under this chapter. Such retaliation shall be subject to suit for actual and punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorney's fees.

(Ord. 594 § 2 (part), 1988).