§ 8.52.230. Remedies for charging excess rent.

A.

Any person who demands, accepts or retains any payment of rent in excess of the maximum rent permitted by this chapter shall be liable in a civil action to the person from whom such payment is demanded, accepted or retained for damages of three times the amount by which the payment or payments demanded, accepted or retained exceed the maximum rent which could be lawfully demanded, accepted or retained together with reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as determined by the court.

B.

A tenant may refuse to pay any rent in excess of the maximum rent permitted by this chapter. The fact that such rent is in excess of maximum rent shall be a defense in any action brought to recover possession of a rental unit or to collect the illegal rent.

(Ord. 12148 § 1 (part), 1980: Ord. 11950 § 11, 1979.)