Whenever it is necessary for any tenant to file a court action to recover the payment of rent which was in excess of the maximum lawful rent allowed by the provisions of this chapter, or to collect any relocation fee provided for in this chapter, or whenever it is necessary for the tenant to defend against any wrongful action filed in court against the tenant by the landlord to recover the possession of the tenant's apartment unit, the landlord shall be liable to the tenant for damages in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or not more than three (3) times the amount by which the payment or payments demanded, accepted, received, or retained exceed the lawful amount of rent or relocation fees due to the tenant, whichever is greater. The prevailing party in any such suit shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs as determined by the court. (1962 Code § 11-7.05)