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SECTION 16 JUDICIAL REVIEW A Landlord or Tenant aggrieved by any action or decision of the Rent Board may seek judicial review in Superior Court within the State of California regarding this Chapter and its implementing regulations. No action or decision by the Rent Board shall go into effect until any statutory period for such review has expired. SECTION 17 NON-WAIVERABILITY Any provision of a Rental Housing Agreement, whether oral or written, which purports to waive any provision of this Chapter established for the benefit of the Tenant, shall be deemed to be against public policy and shall be void. SECTION 18 REMEDIES In addition to any other remedies provided by law, Landlords, Tenants/Mobilehome Owners/Residents covered by this Chapter shall have the following remedies for violations of this Chapter. (a) Landlord's Demand for or Retention of Excessive Rent. When a Landlord demands, accepts, receives, or retains any payment or payments in excess of the lawful Rent pursuant to this Chapter and the regulations promulgated hereunder, including in violation of the provisions ensuring compliance with habitability standards and maintenance of Housing Services, the Tenant/Mobilehome Owner/Resident may file a Petition pursuant to Sections 13 and 14 (Petitions and Procedures for Individual Rent Adjustments) or file a civil suit against the Landlord. A Landlord who demands, accepts, receives, or retains any payment of Rent in excess of the lawful Rent shall be liable to the Tenant in the amount by which the payment or payments have exceeded the lawful Rent. In such a case, the Rent shall be adjusted to reflect the lawful Rent pursuant to this Chapter and its implementing regulations. (b) Civil Remedies. A Tenant/Mobilehome Owner/Resident may bring a civil suit in the courts of the state alleging that a Landlord has violated any of the provisions of this Chapter or the regulations promulgated hereunder, including that the Landlord has demanded, accepted, received, or retained a payment or payments in excess of the lawful Rent. In a civil suit, a Landlord found to violate this Chapter shall be liable to the Tenant/Mobilehome Owner/Resident for all actual damages, including but not limited to the damages described in Subsection (a) herein. A prevailing Tenant/Mobilehome Owner/Resident in a civil action brought to enforce this Chapter shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs as determined by the court. Additionally, upon a showing that the Landlord has acted willfully or with oppression, fraud, or malice, the Tenant/Mobilehome Owner/Resident shall be awarded treble damages. No administrative remedy need be exhausted prior to filing suit pursuant to this subsection. 83