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.
Land Installment Contracts, Options to Buy, and Rent-to-Own Agreements in Maine
Introduction
Understanding the kind of purchase agreement you have when you are trying to buy land or a home is very important. Often when people buy land or land and a house (sometimes called 'real property') they take out a mortgage or loan and are given the deed to the property when they buy it, and before they move in.
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:
Maine Fair Housing Newsletter
The Fair Housing Newsletter is a publication of Pine Tree Legal Assistance, through the Fair Housing Initiative Program, Maine. It covers important fair housing information and developments, and highlights other fair housing resources.
Tax Credit for Making Home Accessible to People with Disabilities
This is a tax credit for people who modify their home to make it more accessible for a household member with a disability.
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.
Get a Refund on Your Property Taxes or Rent
Tax credits for people with low incomes who own their own homes or pay rent.