By Type (6)
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Required Disclosures (8)
1. Bedbugs Infestation Disclosure (conditional) – If the rental unit or adjacent rental unit is infested or being treated for bed bugs, it must be disclosed to the tenant in writing. Refer to the Maine Housing Fact Sheet for more information.[1][2]
2. Common Areas – Utility Charges (conditional) – Unless both parties agree, the landlord may not bill the tenant for electricity, heat, or any utility for common areas, such as hallways and stairwells.[3]
3. Energy Efficiency Disclosure – The energy efficiency disclosure form must be completed by the landlord and signed by the tenant.[4]
4. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure & EPA Pamphlet (conditional) – Due to federal law, all residences built before 1978 must have this form attached and signed/acknowledged by the tenants. The document informs them about the potential of hazardous paint within the walls and that they should always be on the watch for cracking or chipping paint.[5]
5. Radon Disclosure Form (pamphlet included) – Starting in 2012, the landlord is required every 10 years to check for the existence of radon. This form must be issued to every tenant.[6]
6. Rental Housing Rights Disclosure Form (City of Portland ONLY)- Must be given to the tenant before occupancy.[7]
7. Security Deposit Receipt (conditional) – The landlord must provide a security deposit receipt for any property in a multi-unit building of more than 4 units (or 5 units with the landlord occupying a unit) and include the following:
- Date of the payment;
- Amount paid;
- Whom the payment is made;
- A statement that the payment is either for rent or for security deposit;
- Signature of the person receiving the payment; and
- The name of that person written in a legible manner.[8]
8. Smoking Policy – The landlord must state what the smoking policy is on the property, including whether it is generally allowed, only permitted in certain areas, or outright prohibited.[9]
Security Deposits
Maximum Amount
Collecting Interest – Only mobile home park operators are required to collect and pay interest on held security deposits.[12]
Returning – The landlord must return the funds within 30 days of the end of the tenancy if it is a fixed lease or 21 days if it is a month-to-month lease.[13]
- Itemized List – If any portion of the security deposit is retained, the landlord must provide the tenant with a written statement itemizing the reasons for the retention along with the remainder of their security deposit.[14]
When is Rent Due?
Grace Period – Maine state law establishes a 15-day grace period in which the landlord cannot charge a fee or begin eviction proceedings for the late payment of rent.[15] If the tenant fails to pay their rent within this grace period, the landlord can issue a seven-day notice to quit.[16]
Maximum Late Fee – A landlord may not charge more than 4% of the monthly rent amount for late payment.[17] The landlord must give written notice of this penalty to the tenant at the time they enter the lease agreement.[18]
NSF Fee – The landlord can assess 12% of the check (rent) amount for a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee.[19]
Withholding Rent – If the landlord fails to pay for utility service in the landlord’s name, then the tenant may pay for the service and deduct the amount paid from their rent.[20]
Right to Enter (Landlord)
Standard Access – A landlord must give 24 hours’ notice before entering the rental property in any non-emergency situation.[21]
Immediate Access – A landlord may enter a rental property without giving notice to the tenant in the case of an emergency.[22] This includes an emergency in which the welfare of an animal is at risk.[23]
Abandonment
Absence – Maine state law does not specify the length of time that a tenant must be absent before a rental unit is considered abandoned.
Breaking the Lease – If the tenant breaks the lease, the landlord may recover rent and damages. However, the amount of this recovery must be reduced by the net rent obtainable by reasonable efforts to re-rent the property, and the landlord must make such efforts to try and rent the property to a new tenant.[24]
Tenant’s Utility Shutoff – The landlord may give seven days’ written notice of termination if the tenant’s failure to pay for essential utilities constitutes a breach of the lease agreement or has caused the property to be unfit for human habitation.[25]
Unclaimed Property – The landlord must store any abandoned or unclaimed property left behind by a tenant for 7 days and provide written notice to the tenant at their last known address. If the tenant responds, the landlord must hold the unclaimed property for up to 14 days.[26]
- Itemized List of Property – The notice sent to the tenant must include an itemized list of the abandoned items and the tenant must be advised to respond within 7 days to claim their property.[27]
Video
Sources
- § 6021-A(2)(D)
- Maine Housing (Bed Bugs – Fact Sheet for Renters)
- § 6024
- § 6030-C
- 42 U.S. Code § 4852d
- § 6030-D(1)
- City of Portland, Maine – Rental Housing Rights
- § 6022
- § 6030-E(3)
- § 6032
- § 6-223.2
- § 9098(2)(B)
- § 6033(2)
- § 6033(2)
- § 6028(1)
- § 6002(1)
- § 6028(2)
- § 6028(3)
- § 6071(1)
- § 6024-A(1)
- § 6025(2)
- § 6025(2)
- § 6025-A
- § 6010-A(2)
- § 6002(1)(B)
- § 6013(1)
- § 6013(2)