Service and Assistance Animals in Maine: What's the difference, and what are my rights?
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 bring a pet.
Portland Maine Landlord Tenant Rules
Important Resources to Prevent Eviction
Getting evicted? Worried you might be soon?
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
Rights of Maine Renters: Heat and Utility Charges for Common Areas
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 water heater or furnace.
It is illegal for your landlord to make you pay those costs alone. For example, the hall lights should not be hooked up to your… More
Rights of Maine Renters: Cable TV, Dishes, and Antennas
If I live in an apartment building, can my landlord stop me from getting cable TV, a satellite dish or an antenna?
Generally, no. Your landlord can only refuse to allow these installations if they have "good cause" to deny that particular company. "Good cause" could be:
Entimidasyon seksyèl nan kontèks lojman (Haitian Creole - Sexual Harassment in Rental Housing)
Entimidasyon seksyèl nan kontèks lojman- Fair Housing and Sexual Harassment Handout in Haitian Creole. Click the .pdf below to view or print this document.
Do you owe $500 or more to your electric company?
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!
Can I Get an Assistance Animal if I am a Renter?
Who is covered by the “assistance animal” law?
The law applies to people with disabilities. Under this law, you have a disability if:
Fair Housing
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.
Heating Assistance News
LIHEAP funding continues to be lower than in previous years. This will mean that more households will be turning to local heating assistance programs after their LIHEAP money runs out. Here is a summary of the programs we know about - followed by information about how to access local programs.