9.—(1) A person guilty of an offence under this Act F28[this Act, section 4 of the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 or section 10 or 11 of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020] shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.

(2) If the contravention in respect of which a person is convicted of an offence under F28[this Act, section 4 of the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 or section 10 or 11 of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020] is continued after the conviction, the person is guilty of a further offence on every day on which the contravention continues and for each such offence the person shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €250.

(3) Proceedings in relation to an offence under this Act F28[this Act, section 4 of the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 or section 10 or 11 of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020] may be brought and prosecuted by the Board.

(4) Notwithstanding section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851, proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted at any time within one year after the date of the offence.

(5) Where a person is convicted of an offence under F28[this Act, section 4 of the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 or section 10 or 11 of the Planning and Development, and Residential Tenancies, Act 2020] the court shall, unless it is satisfied that there are special and substantial reasons for not so doing, order the person to pay to the Board the costs and expenses, measured by the court, incurred by the Board in relation to the investigation, detection and prosecution of the offence.