For tenants at will, a landlord must provide prior written notice of rent increases. For rent increases of more than 10%, 75 days’ notice is required. For all other increases, 45 days’ notice is required. For tenants with an unexpired lease, rent cannot be increased from what is stated in the lease.
Illegal Discrimination
It is illegal to refuse to show or rent a unit or impose different terms on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status, any previous actions seeking and receiving an order of protection, or because of the receipt of any kind of public assistance.[i]
Landlords may not refuse to permit the use of an assistance animal,[ii] unless the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or the use of the animal would result in substantial physical damage to the property of others or would substantially interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of the premises by others.
For further information or to submit a complaint of discrimination, contact the Maine Human Rights Commission by writing to 51 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0051 or by calling (207) 624-6290.
[i] 5 M.R.S.A. section 4581-A.
[ii] An assistance animal is one that has been determined by a qualified professional as necessary for an individual with a physical or mental disability to mitigate the effects of a physical or mental disability, or that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a physical or mental disability, such as seeing-eye dogs. 5 M.R.S.A. section 4553(1-H).
Rental Housing Must Be Fit and Safe for Human Habitation- Implied Warranty and Covenant of Habitability