Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 55 Part 1.djvu/819

 PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 553-DEC. 2, 1941 Suit to rescind lease, etc. Willful violations, falsification of docu- ments, etc. Prosecution. Nonliability for damages or penalties. Enforcement orders. "Housingaccommo- dations. " " Services" SEO. 10. ENFroRcEMNT, PENALTIEs. -(a) If any landlord receives rent or refuses to render services in violation of any provision of this Act, or of any regulation or order thereunder prescribing a rent ceiling or service standard, the tenant paying such rent or entitled to such service, or the Administrator on behalf of such tenant, may bring suit to rescind the lease or rental agreement, or, in case of violation of a maximum-rent ceiling, an action for double the amount by which the rent paid exceeded the applicable rent ceiling and, in case of violation of a minimum-service standard, an action for double the value of the services refused in violation of the applicable mini- mum-service standard or for $50, whichever is greater in either case, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as determined by the court. Any suit or action under this subsection may be brought in the municipal court of the District of Columbia regardless of the amount involved, and the municipal court is hereby given exclusive jurisdic- tion to hear and determine all such cases. (b) Any person who willfully violates any provision of this Act or any regulation, order, or requirement thereunder, and any person who willfully makes any statement or entry false in any material respect in any document or report required to be kept or filed thereunder, and any person who willfully participates in any fictitious sale or other device or arrangement with intent to evade this Act or any regulation, order, or requirement thereunder, shall be prosecuted therefor by the corporation counsel of the District of Columbia or an assistant, on information filed in the police court of the District of Columbia, and shall upon conviction be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. (c) No person shall be held liable for damages or penalties in any court on any grounds for or in respect of anything done or omitted to be done in good faith pursuant to any provision of this Act or any regulation, order, or requirement thereunder, notwithstanding that subsequently such provision, regulation, order, or requirement may be modified, rescinded, or determined to be invalid. The Administrator may intervene in any suit or action wherein a party relies for ground of relief or defense upon this Act or any regulation, order, or require- ment thereunder. No costs shall be assessed against the Administra- tor in any proceedings had or taken in accordance with this Act. (d) Whenever in the judgment of the Administrator any person has engaged or is about to engage in any acts or practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of this Act, or any regulation, order, or requirement thereunder, he may make application to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for an order enforcing compliance with this Act or such regulation, order, or requirement, and upon a proper showing a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, shall be granted without bond. SEO. 11. DEFINITIONS. -As used in this Act- (a) The term "housing accommodations" means any building, structure or part thereof, or land appurtenant thereto, or any other real or personal property rented or offered for rent for living or dwelling purposes in the District of Columbia (including, but with- out limitation, houses, apartments, hotels, rooming- or boarding- house accommodations, and other properties used for living or dwelling purposes) together with all services supplied in connection with the use or occupancy of such property. (b) The term "services" includes the furnishing of light, heat, hot and cold water, telephone, elevator service, furnishings, furniture, window shades, screens, awnings, and storage, kitchen, bath, and laundry facilities and privileges, maid service, janitor service, the removal of refuse, and the making of all repairs suited to the housing 794 [55 STAT.

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