(a)
(1) A court granting relief under this subchapter may order in addition to any other costs provided by law the payment by the defendant or defendants to the plaintiff reasonable attorney's fees and the costs of the action. In such cases, multiple defendants are jointly and severally liable for any payment so ordered.
(2) Any costs or attorney's fees collected from the defendants shall be remitted to the plaintiff. If the plaintiff is the city attorney, the costs shall be remitted to the city general fund. If the plaintiff is the prosecuting attorney, the costs shall be remitted to the county general fund.
(b) A proceeding brought under this subchapter for eviction of the defendants and occupants of the premises does not preclude the owner or landlord from recovering monetary damages for rent, repairs, or any other incidental damages up to the date of eviction of the defendants and occupants from the premises in a civil action.