Your Rights as a Tenant
Featured Content August 2024
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…
Featured Content July 2024
Is sexual harassment covered under the Maine Human Rights Act?
The Maine Human Rights Act bans harassment based on:
Featured Content July 2024
Sometimes landlords react to sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking by taking action against the victim. There are state and federal laws that can help if this happens to you.
March 2025
Important Resources to Prevent Eviction
Getting evicted? Worried you might be soon?
February 2025
Important Resources to Prevent Eviction
Getting evicted? Worried you might be soon?
January 2025
Maine law gives tenants an "implied warranty of habitability." This means that your landlord must promise that your home is safe and fit to live in.
December 2024
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…
August 2024
A sample letter you can send to your landlord to notify them of bed bugs in your building. NOTE: This notice was drafted for use by Maine tenants. The laws may be different in o
January 2024
Two laws in Maine protect people with disabilities. Both laws make it illegal for government agencies to discriminate against people with disabilities. Government agencies must also take steps to…
January 2024
Landlords may not discriminate against you because of your: race, color, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental impairment, religion, ancestry or national origin, getting welfare, being a single…
January 2024
Important Resources to Prevent Eviction
Getting evicted? Worried you might be soon?
September 2023
Who is covered by the “assistance animal” law?
The law applies to people with disabilities. Under this law, you have a disability if:
September 2023
Has the building or home you rent been sold or foreclosed on? You still have rights as a renter!
September 2023
The agreement you make with your landlord affects what rights you will have. You may sign a written agreement called a lease. When you rent without a lease, you become a "tenant at will."
July 2023
What is "Subsidized Housing?"
There are different kinds of subsidized housing. Some are public housing, and some aren't.
December 2022
Important Resources to Prevent Eviction
Getting evicted? Worried you might be soon?
July 2022
Introduction
If you have a disability, and you have an animal that helps you with that disability, you may have the right to bring that animal into places where you wouldn’t be allowed to
October 2021
Can my landlord come into my house or apartment at any time? No. If your landlord wants to come into your home to make non-emergency repairs, or inspect the apartment, they must give you "reasonable…
September 2021
Is There Any Way I Can Get Back My Personal Property If It Is Being Held By My Landlord Or Someone Else?
Yes.
April 2020
Podcast - Federal and State Fair Housing laws prohibit discrimination against people who are from countries, other than the U.S, when selling, renting, financing, or other housing related…
July 2019
If you live in an apartment building, you may find out that you are paying for heat, lights, or other utilities for "common areas." This includes, for example, hallways, basements, or a common hot…
May 2019
This podcast focuses on rental housing and Fair Housing laws. You can listen to the podcast above, or read the full text below.
May 2019
يركز هذا البودكاست (النقل الصوتي عبر الإنترنت) على
May 2019
Cod baahintan wuxuu ahmiyadda saarayaa sharciyada guryaha ijaarka iyo Guryaynata Caddaaladda.
May 2019
Ce podcast parle des logements de location et des lois relatives au logement équitable.
December 2018
What does "Fair Housing" mean?
In Maine we have both state and federal “fair housing” laws. They say that a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you, and a seller cannot treat you differently, because…
December 2018
This podcast is about the right of people with disabilities to ask for exceptions to rental housing rules, so that they have equal opportunities to use and enjoy the housing. This right is protected…
December 2018
Listen to our podcast on harassment in rental housing! This podcast is about sexual harassment in rental housing and what to do if you believe that you have been harassed by your landlord, an…
December 2018
If I live in an apartment building, can my landlord stop me from getting cable TV, a satellite dish or an antenna?
Generally, no.
November 2018
لا يعرف الكثير من أصحاب المساكن أو موفري السكن حدود مسؤولياتهم عندما يتعلق الأمر بالتأجير للعائلات التي لديها أطفال أو لا يعرفون حتى بأن العائلات التي لديها أطفال تتمتع بالحماية تحت قوانين التمييز…
November 2018
Milkiilayaal badan ama bixiyaasha guriyaha ayaan aqoonin mas’uuliyadaha ka saaran qooysaska carrurta leh ama aan xitaa ogeyn in qooysaska carrurta leh ka mid yihiin kooxaha sharciga daafaca sida…
November 2018
De nombreux propriétaires ou prestataires de logement ne connaissent pas leurs responsabilités quant à la location de logement à des familles avec enfants ou ne savent pas que les familles avec…
November 2018
Many landlords or housing providers don't know their responsibilities when it comes to renting to families with children or don't even know that families with children enjoy a protected status under…