B.
In a successful action against the landlord, the tenant may recover up to 3 times the excess amount demanded of the surety bond by the landlord, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.
[PL 2007, c. 370, §2 (NEW).]
C.
In any action brought under this subsection, the landlord has the burden of proving that the landlord's requirement of security was not wrongful.
[PL 2007, c. 370, §2 (NEW).][PL 2007, c. 370, §2 (NEW).]
4.
Notice of rights.
The surety or landlord shall deliver to a tenant a copy of any agreements or documents signed by the tenant at the time of the tenant's purchase of the surety bond. The surety or landlord shall advise the tenant in writing of all of the tenant's rights under this section prior to the purchase of a surety bond. This notice must conform to the requirements of Title 24‑A, section 2441, subsection 1.
[PL 2007, c. 370, §2 (NEW).]
5.
Notice of rights and responsibilities by surety.
In addition to the requirements of subsection 4, before a tenant purchases a surety bond a surety shall conspicuously disclose to the tenant in writing the following rights and responsibilities of tenants:
A.
The surety bond premium is nonrefundable except as provided in subsection 2;
[PL 2007, c. 370, §2 (NEW).]
B.
The surety bond is not insurance for the tenant;
[PL 2007, c. 370, §2 (NEW).]
C.
The surety bond is being purchased to protect the landlord against loss due to, but not limited to, the following: nonpayment of rent, nonpayment of utility charges that the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord, breach of the rental agreement, storing and disposing of unclaimed property or damages caused by the tenant other than normal wear and tear;
[PL 2007, c. 370, §2 (NEW).]