usc 12 § 5565
Relief available (BANKS AND BANKING (12 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
The court (or the Bureau, as the case may be) in an action or adjudication proceeding brought under Federal consumer financial law, shall have jurisdiction to grant any appropriate legal or equitable relief with respect to a violation of Federal consumer financial law, including a violation of a rule or order prescribed under a Federal consumer financial law. Relief under this section may include, without limitation— rescission or reformation of contracts; refund of moneys or return of real property; restitution; disgorgement or compensation for unjust enrichment; payment of damages or other monetary relief; public notification regarding the violation, including the costs of notification; limits on the activities or functions of the person; and civil money penalties, as set forth more fully in subsection (c). Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing the imposition of exemplary or punitive damages. In any action brought by the Bureau, a State attorney general, or any State regulator to enforce any Federal consumer financial law, the Bureau, the State attorney general, or the State regulator may recover its costs in connection with prosecuting such action if the Bureau, the State attorney general, or the State regulator is the prevailing party in the action. Any person that violates, through any act or omission, any provision of Federal consumer financial law shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty pursuant to this subsection. For any violation of a law, rule, or final order or condition imposed in writing by the Bureau, a civil penalty may not exceed $5,000 for each day during which such violation or failure to pay continues. Notwithstanding paragraph (A), for any person that recklessly engages in a violation of a Federal consumer financial law, a civil penalty may not exceed $25,000 for each day during which such violation continues. Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), for any person that knowingly violates a Federal consumer financial law, a civil penalty may not exceed $1,000,000 for each day during which such violation continues. In determining the amount of any penalty assessed under paragraph (2), the Bureau or the court shall take into account the appropriateness of the penalty with respect to— the size of financial resources and good faith of the person charged; the gravity of the violation or failure to pay; the severity of the risks to or losses of the consumer, which may take into account the number of products or services sold or provided; the history of previous violations; and such other matters as justice may require. The Bureau may compromise, modify, or remit any penalty which may be assessed or had already been assessed under paragraph (2). The amount of such penalty, when finally determined, shall be exclusive of any sums owed by the person to the United States in connection with the costs of the proceeding, and may be deducted from any sums owing by the United States to the person charged. No civil penalty may be assessed under this subsection with respect to a violation of any Federal consumer financial law, unless— the Bureau gives notice and an opportunity for a hearing to the person accused of the violation; or the appropriate court has ordered such assessment and entered judgment in favor of the Bureau.
Under 12 U.S.C. § 5565, courts and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) are empowered to award a broad range of remedies when a Federal consumer financial law is violated. These remedies can include canceling or rewriting contracts, returning money or property, requiring disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, ordering monetary damages, imposing public notification requirements, restricting a violator's future activities, and levying civil money penalties. The provision sets tiered daily penalty caps—up to $5,000 for general violations, $25,000 for reckless violations, and $1,000,000 for knowing violations—while expressly prohibiting punitive or exemplary damages. Enforcement agencies that prevail in an action may also recover their litigation costs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in consumer financial markets should be aware that 12 U.S.C. § 5565 gives regulators and courts wide latitude to fashion remedies against entities found to have violated Federal consumer financial laws. Compliant operators generally maintain thorough records of their practices, ensure their contracts and disclosures conform to applicable rules, and promptly address any identified compliance gaps—since daily penalty accrual under this provision can escalate quickly depending on whether a violation is deemed reckless or knowing. Operators also typically cooperate in good faith with any regulatory inquiry, as good faith is one of the factors a court or the CFPB considers when determining penalty amounts under § 5565.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants and consumers, 12 U.S.C. § 5565 is significant because it outlines the concrete remedies that can flow from a successful enforcement action under Federal consumer financial law—including the possibility of contract rescission, refunds, restitution, and public notification about a violation. If you believe a landlord or financial service provider has violated a Federal consumer financial law affecting your housing transaction, you may consider filing a complaint with the CFPB, contacting your State attorney general's office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights or consumer-rights organization to understand available enforcement paths. Because § 5565 requires that notice and a hearing opportunity be provided before civil penalties are assessed, the process includes procedural protections that consumers can learn more about through those same resources.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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