The administrator may, whenever any person has engaged in acts or practices which constitute a violation of any provision of section 26-412 of the Rent Law or Part 2205 of this Title, or where more than six months have elapsed since the landlord's failure to use a certificate of eviction for the purpose for which it was issued, and either the administrator has not waived such failure to use such certificate for the designated purpose or the tenant has not commenced civil action against the landlord as provided in section 2206.7 of this Part, impose civil penalty by order after a hearing by reason of such violation and bring an action to recover same in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such penalty, in the case of a violation of subdivision d of section 26-412 of the Rent Law or section 2206.5 of this Part, shall be in the amount of not less than $2,000 nor more than $10,000 for each such offense or for a violation consisting of conduct directed at the tenants of more than one housing accommodation; and in the case of any other violation of such provisions of the Rent Law or this Subchapter, in the amount of $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for each subsequent offense. Such order shall be deemed a final determination for the purposes of judicial review as provided in section 26-411 of the Rent Law and section 2208.12 of this Title. Such action shall be brought on behalf of the city, and any amount recovered shall be paid into the city treasury. Such right of action may be released, compromised or adjusted by the administrator at any time subsequent to the issuance of such administrative order.