Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) FAQ
Introduction
The Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund (“Maine HAF”) is a program meant to help homeowners who have experienced a financial hardship connected to COVID-19 and are at risk of losing their homes. This is a grant based program, homeowners will not have to pay this money back.
Home Foreclosure and COVID-19 FAQ
Posted and up-to-date as of 10/1/2021
Introduction
If you can't make your mortgage payment because of the COVID-19 emergency, there is some good news:
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.
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!
Home Foreclosure: It’s always good to have a lawyer, but when is it really critical to get some legal help?
Hiring a lawyer can be expensive and there are not enough free lawyers to help everyone who needs one. On the other hand, a lawyer can make a big difference in certain situations. Below we identify five such situations.
Court Mediation: Your Chance to Stop a Foreclosure
The Maine Court gives you the chance to go through a mediation process before your home can be foreclosed upon. This is probably your last best chance to save your home - or to find out about your other legal options.
Foreclosure: Can I Save My Home? (video)
Short video about home foreclosure process in Maine.
Foreclosure: Net Present Value Calculator
In a foreclosure situation, the bank may be required to determine the "Net Present Value" of your home. Doing this math can help the lender know whether a loan modification would be in everyone's best interests. The attachment below is the calculator the FDIC posted on its website until recently and the one that Maine mediators are still using
Free and Low Cost Phone Services
Introduction
This page covers free and low-cost phone services available to Mainers. We know there are many new low or no cost ways of communicating, but we are just trying to cover the basics.
Foreclosure - Simplified Answer and Request for Mediation Form
You can file the attached form in the Maine District Court if you get court papers saying that your home is being "foreclosed." You must act right away; there is a 20 day deadline.