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 (14 M.R.S. § 6015) and a 30-day minimum notice to end a tenancy at will (14 M.R.S. § 6002). Maine has no statewide just-cause eviction requirement or 12-month limit between increases — those apply only under local ordinances such as Portland's.
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 | 70% of the prior-12-month change in the Greater Boston CPI; 2.2% for calendar year 2026 |
| 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 sets the allowable annual increase each year from the Greater Boston CPI formula. 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. Because current public sources conflict or do not clearly confirm a clean current annual percentage, this guide points readers to the South Portland Rent Board rather than stating an unverified cap.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rent Cap | Current allowable increase should be verified with the South Portland Rent Board |
| Coverage | The calculator models buildings constructed after 1983 as exempt |
| 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 construction cutoff means many newer buildings are not covered. If your building was built after 1983, the calculator treats it as exempt from 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.
Under Portland's local ordinance, rent can only be raised once every 12 months for a sitting tenant. Maine has no statewide 12-month limit, so outside Portland and South Portland this restriction does not apply.
Maine has no statewide just-cause requirement — a tenancy at will can be ended on 30 days' written notice without cause (14 M.R.S. § 6002), or 7 days for nonpayment. Just-cause protection (requiring a valid legal reason to evict) exists only under local ordinances such as Portland's. Retaliatory eviction is prohibited statewide.
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.
Averigua si tu vivienda está cubierta por el control de renta o las protecciones para inquilinos.
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