(A) If the landlord fails to deliver possession of the dwelling unit to the tenant as provided in § 151.28, rent abates until possession is delivered and the tenant may:
(1) Terminate the rental agreement upon at least five days' written notice to the landlord and upon termination the landlord shall return all prepaid rent and damage fee; or
(2) Demand performance of the rental agreement by the landlord and, if the tenant elects, maintain an action for possession of the dwelling unit against the landlord or any person wrongfully in possession and recover the damages sustained by him or her.
(B) If a person's failure to deliver possession is willful and not in good faith, an aggrieved person may recover from that person an amount not more than three months' periodic rent or threefold the actual damages sustained, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees.
(1994 Jeff. Code, § 151.36) (Jeff. Ord. 22-1984, adopted and effective 7-24-1984; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 134-2006, approved 8-23-2006)