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Maine does not have a statewide rent control law — landlords outside covered cities can raise rent by any amount, as long as they give the required notice. However, two cities have enacted local rent control ordinances:
In addition, Maine state law gives all renters meaningful protections regardless of city: a 45-day notice requirement before any rent increase, a 12-month limit between increases for the same tenant, and a just cause eviction requirement that prevents landlords from removing tenants without a valid legal reason.
This article is a high-level overview based on publicly available sources. It is not legal advice. For questions specific to your tenancy, contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance or the appropriate city housing office.
Portland's rent control ordinance was enacted by citizens' referendum in November 2020 and took effect shortly after. It is administered by the Portland Housing Safety Office.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rent Cap | 100% of CPI per year (no additional buffer) |
| Coverage | Rental units in buildings constructed on or before April 1, 2020 |
| Exemptions | Owner-occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units; buildings built after April 2020; federally subsidized housing |
| Registration | Landlords must register rental units with the city |
| Penalties | $50–$500 per violation |
Portland's CPI-only cap is stricter than most cities, which typically allow CPI plus a buffer of 3–5%. In practice, this has meant increases of 2–4% in most years. Landlords must give tenants proper written notice before implementing any increase and can petition for a hardship exemption if the cap prevents a fair return.
South Portland passed its own rent control ordinance in 2021. It applies a stricter cap formula than Portland and covers an older stock of buildings. Disputes are heard by the South Portland Rent Board.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rent Cap | 100% of CPI or 5%, whichever is lower |
| Coverage | Rental units in buildings constructed before April 1, 1984 |
| Exemptions | Owner-occupied buildings with 5 or fewer units; federally subsidized housing |
| Rent Board | South Portland Rent Board hears disputes and exemption petitions |
South Portland's 1984 construction cutoff means many newer buildings are not covered. If your building was built after 1983, you are not covered by South Portland rent control, though you still have statewide protections.
All Maine tenants — regardless of whether they live in Portland, South Portland, or anywhere else in the state — have these protections under Maine state law:
Landlords must provide at least 45 days' written notice before any rent increase takes effect. This applies statewide, whether or not your city has rent control. The notice must be in writing.
Rent can only be raised once every 12 months for a sitting tenant. If your landlord raises your rent, they cannot raise it again until a full year has passed since the last increase.
Maine requires landlords to have a valid legal reason to evict a tenant. Acceptable grounds include non-payment of rent, material lease violation, the landlord moving into the unit, and sale of the property. Landlords cannot evict tenants simply to raise rent for the next tenant.
Maine limits security deposits to two months' rent. Landlords must return the deposit (or provide a written itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of the tenancy ending. Wrongfully withheld deposits can result in the tenant recovering double the withheld amount plus attorney fees.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
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