Maine rent increase law

Give at least 45 days' written notice before increasing rent or a mandatory recurring fee, and at least 75 days' written notice for a rent increase of 10 percent or more. If several increases within 12 months add up to 10 percent or more, the 75 days applies to the increase that brings the total to 10 percent. Any waiver of these notices, written or oral, is void.

14 M.R.S. § 6015

• The 75-day rule does not apply to housing kept affordable by a recorded deed restriction or to housing whose landlord or tenant takes part in a subsidized municipal, state or federal housing program. 14 M.R.S. § 6015(2)
• A landlord who increases rent without the required notice must return the amounts unlawfully collected, with interest, plus the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees and costs. 14 M.R.S. § 6015(1), (2)
• You may not raise rent while the unit violates the warranty of habitability, unless the tenant, the tenant's family or guests caused the violation. 14 M.R.S. § 6016
• Maine's landlord-tenant chapters set no statewide cap on the size of an increase. 14 M.R.S. § 6015 14 M.R.S. § 6016 See Rent control and local rules on the Maine page
• Portland and South Portland have additional local notice requirements. Check the applicable city rule before using only the statewide notice period. Portland rent-control FAQ, question 5 South Portland Code 12-223, 12-505 See Rent control and local rules on the Maine page

No section of Maine's landlord-tenant chapters caps how much you may raise the rent; the state rules are about notice and a ban on increases while the unit breaches the warranty of habitability. Portland and South Portland impose local rent-increase requirements; selected city guidance and provisions are summarized below. Other municipal requirements remain unreviewed.

14 M.R.S. § 6015 14 M.R.S. § 6016

• A rent increase needs at least 45 days' written notice, and 75 days for an increase of 10 percent or more. 14 M.R.S. § 6015 See Rent increase notice on the Maine page
• You may not raise the rent while the unit violates the warranty of habitability, unless the tenant or the tenant's family, guests or invitees caused the violation. 14 M.R.S. § 6016

An eviction started within 6 months after the tenant did any of the following is presumed retaliatory, and no writ of possession issues unless you rebut the presumption: asserted rights under the rent increase, habitability, radon or recurring fee sections; complained in good faith to a code enforcement body; asked you in writing, in good faith, for required repairs; filed a reasonable fair housing complaint; told you the tenant or a minor child is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; or reported sexual harassment by you or your agent.

14 M.R.S. § 6001(3)

• The presumption in 14 M.R.S. 6001(3) does not apply to an eviction for one of the 7-day causes or for a lease violation, unless the tenant used the repair and deduct remedy. 14 M.R.S. § 6001(3)
• No writ issues if the tenant proves the eviction retaliates for membership in a tenants' organization. 14 M.R.S. § 6001(4)
• You and your agents may not subject a tenant to sexual harassment. 14 M.R.S. § 6016-A
• A separate presumption applies if, within 6 months before the eviction and before being served the eviction notice, the tenant asserted bedbug rights; it does not apply to an eviction for unpaid rent or substantial damage, so a nuisance or lease-violation eviction is still covered. 14 M.R.S. § 6021-A(4)(D)