Costs may be awarded to either party, except not against the creditor, unless he has, on request, unreasonably refused to render an account of rents and profits and of expenses for improvements and repairs, or to execute a deed of release as required in this chapter. When he has tendered such deed to the debtor before his action was commenced by the debtor, and in his answer relies upon it, and brings the deed into court for the debtor, he shall recover his costs. This section is applicable to the redemption of an estate for life, levied on by taking the rents and profits.