Podcast: Familial Status Protections under Fair Housing laws

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 housing discrimination laws and that they can't make dwellings unavailable or deny dwellings just because families have children.
Icon for content type Article

What you need to know before you go to court in Maine

Going to court on your own can be scary, but there are many resources to help you get ready. This article is written for two of the most common kinds of court cases in Maine: -Small claims -Eviction

RePresent: Renter! A game to prepare for an eviction hearing

If you have an eviction hearing soon, and will be going to court without a lawyer, you can practice representing yourself by playing RePresent: Renter! You'll learn how to prepare for court, what your rights are as a renter in Maine, what happens in court on the day of your hearing, and how to present evidence and cross-examine the other person in… More
Icon for content type Article

Tips for Giving Evidence in Court

When you are giving evidence in court, explain exactly what happened in the clearest way you can. You should only talk about what you know. This means what you saw, what you felt, what you heard, and what you did.

RePresent: A game for people going to court without a lawyer

If you're going to court without a lawyer, you can practice representing yourself by playing RePresent. You’ll learn how to prepare for court, what happens in court on the day of your hearing, and how to present evidence and cross-examine the other person in your case.
Icon for content type Article

Rights of Maine Renters: Eviction

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.
Icon for content type Article

Rights of Maine Renters: Discrimination

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 parent, being pregnant or having children. This means that a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you, charge you extra, or evict you for any of these… More
Icon for content type Article

Rights of Maine Renters: Unsafe or Unfit Housing

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.
Icon for content type Article

Rights of Maine Renters: Types of Rental Agreements

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."