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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
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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:
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Rights of Maine Renters: Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking

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.
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Rights of Maine Renters: Mobile Home Parks

Who is protected by the mobile home park laws? This section applies to you if you own your mobile home and rent a lot in a mobile home park. Also, these "Rights of Maine Renters" articles apply to you:
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Maine Sexual Assault Resources: Child Sexual Abuse & Normal Child Sexual Behavior

How do I know if my child’s sexual behavior is normal or a sign of abuse?  As a caregiver, you may be worried about a child if they start displaying sexualized behaviors. Your instinct may be to think something has happened to the child, but that is not always the case. Some child sexualized behavior is healthy.
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Rights of Maine Renters: Paying Rent

Important Resources to Prevent Eviction Getting evicted? Worried you might be soon?
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Rights of Maine Renters: Landlord Coming Into Your Home

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 notice." This means at least 24 hours notice. If the landlord does give you “reasonable notice” you can’t refuse them entry to the unit. You don’t… More
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Maine Child Protection: What happens when DHHS investigates a household?

This is the second part of our guide to Child Protection proceedings in Maine. It covers what can happen when DHHS investigates a household because they believe that a child may be at risk of being harmed.
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Maine Child Protection: What does DHHS do when they get a complaint of child abuse?

This guide is the first in a series about what happens when DHHS gets involved with families. This guide covers the very first steps in the Maine Child Protection process - our other guides cover later parts of this process. If you are in a situation where DHHS is becoming involved with your family, start here.
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What happens if I am charged with a crime in Maine? Can I get a lawyer?

How do I know if my legal issue is "criminal?" In Maine there are three basic kinds of “charges” for “offenses against the state.”