If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes a tenant from residential premises or willfully diminishes services to a residential tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of gas, water, or other essential service to the tenant, the tenant may obtain an order from a general district court to recover possession, require the landlord to resume any such interrupted utility service, or terminate the rental agreement and, in any case, recover the actual damages sustained by him and reasonable attorney fees. If the rental agreement is terminated pursuant to this section, the landlord shall return all security given by such tenant.

History

1994, c. 583; 2013, c. 110.