Self Help Tools

Rental Housing
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Can my landlord turn off my utilities or change the locks on my door or kick me out without going to court? No. It is illegal for your landlord to throw you out by force. Your landlord must get a court order before they evict you.
Are you about to rent a place in Maine? Brush up on your rights, and other things you should know before you rent with our Tips for Tenants in Maine! Here’s Pine Tree Legal’s checklist of questions to ask about any house, apartment, or mobile home you might rent.
This classroom will walk you through the basics of security deposits in Maine, from what you should do before you move in, to what you can do if you don't get your deposit back when you move out. It explains what security deposits are, and steps you can take to make sure you get your deposit back when you move out.
If you're more than $500 in debt on your electric bill, this program may be able to help you. You pay just your current monthly electric bill, each month and on time. For each month that you pay your current bill, your electric utility company will wipe out 1/12 of what you owe them on your back bill. Learn about how to enroll!
You can use this sample form to request return of your security deposit in Maine.  We strongly recommend that you learn about the relevant Maine rules before using this form.
This year, you won’t have to worry about losing your benefits if you get a big tax refund. Starting in 2011, any tax refunds you get will not affect most public benefits, or how much you get! Under the law passed in December 2010:
It is illegal for a Maine landlord to refuse to rent to you because of your color, race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, having children, or getting public aid. Contact us if you have questions or think you have suffered illegal housing discrimination.  
It is not easy to balance a household budget when you have a low income. But you can supplement your income by claiming all of the benefits and supports you have the right to claim. Here is a checklist. Make sure you are not leaving money on the table!
Here is a sample form you can use if you need to inform a landlord in writing of an unsafe or unfit rental housing condition. 
You can use this sample form to request the return of your security deposit in Maine.  We strongly recommend that you learn about the relevant Maine rules before using this form.

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