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.
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.
Repair and Deduct: a self-help tool for tenants
Maine law provides tenants with minor safety issues a self-help "Repair and Deduct" remedy. You can find a sample form here.
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
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.
Tips for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
Watch this video to learn some basics about foreclosure in Maine.
Then go to our Foreclosure Prevention Toolkit to view more videos
and read more detailed self-help information.