Sec. 35-25. - Retaliation prohibited.
(a)
No person or property owner shall:
(1)
Fail to renew a lease or alter the terms of a lease because a covered individual has
received legal representation under this article or the program;
(2)
Cause any service, facility, equipment or utility to be removed, shut off or discontinued
in retaliation for receiving legal representation under this article or the program;
or
(3)
Charge or demand reimbursement of any fees incurred by property owner relating solely
to this article or the program, unless included in any settlement between the person
or property owner and the tenant or ordered in a court judgment.
(b)
The tenant legal services and assistance director shall investigate any claims of
retaliation and upon finding of a violation, shall issue an administrative citation.
The citation shall include the property address, a description of the retaliatory
act, the amount of the fine and notice of the appeal process.
(c)
Violation of this section shall subject the property owner to an administrative citation
fine of not less than $200.00 but not more than $1,000.00.
(d)
Payment of the administrative citation fine shall be made within 20 days unless a
hearing is requested within the 20-day period.
(Ord. No. 211067, § 1, 12-9-21)