NOTICE:  The City of South Portland has adopted a temporary Moratorium on Certain Evictions and Rent Increases. The moratorium is set to expire on May 27, 2023 and will be succeeded by the newly adopted Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

 

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TENANTS AND LANDLORDS

The City of South Portland requires landlords to provide all residential tenants the following written disclosure: 

Below are links to the additional required disclosure forms:

 

HOUSING ORDINANCES

In recent years the City of South Portland has adopted several amendments to Chapter 12 (Housing) of the Code of Ordinances, including Article IX (Housing Security) and Article XII (Rent Stabilization).

Chapter 12 - Housing Ordinance

Rent Stabilization -- Q&A

 

RENTAL UNIT REGISTRATION

The South Portland Code of Ordinances (Chapter 5, Article VII; effective January 1, 2012) requires that all owners of buildings containing three (3) or more dwelling units, rooming units, or any combination thereof within the City, register said properties with the City. Registration includes disclosure of the name, address, and telephone number of the owner and property manager (if applicable). Please contact the South Portland Fire Department to confirm this required information is on record.

 

90-DAY NOTICE FOR RENT INCREASES 

In the City of South Portland, landlords are required to give tenants a 90-day written notice of any rent increase. (Sec 12-223, Article IX, Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances)

 

Tenant and Landlord Resources and Information

 

Maine Rental Housing Guide (MaineHousing)

The Maine Rental Housing Guide is designed to provide information pertaining to subsidized housing, housing-related resources, and Maine rental housing laws.

 

Maine Attorney General Housing webpage, including Model Lease

Information from the Maine Attorney General’s Office pertaining to Houses, Apartments, Mobile Homes. The webpage includes tenant rights and laws that apply to landlords, a sample lease, information on rights of tenants in a mobile home park, information on home heating, risks of lead paint and more.

 

Rights of Tenants in Maine Guide (Pine Tree Legal)

A guide prepared by Pine Tree Legal and updated periodically. It focuses on Maine’s landlord-tenant laws and details the rights of tenants.

 

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Develoment (HUD) – Rental Help in Maine

The webpage provides information on Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and links to Public Housing Authorities in Maine.

 

Maine DHHS – Housing & Homelessness

The webpage provides resources related to housing and homelessness, including financial assistance, legal issues, housing searches, and resources for the homeless, renters, and homeowners.

 

Maine Human Rights Act – Fair Housing

The Maine Human Rights Commission (MHRC) webpage on housing discrimination includes the Maine Human Rights Act Statute, Subchapter 4, Fair Housing. The page also includes MHRC Rules and Regulations.

 

Maine Human Rights Commission – Filing a Complaint

The Maine Human Rights Commission (MHRC) webpage on filing a complaint describes who may file a complaint, when to file, how to file, where to file, and other information on the process.

 

Opportunity Alliance – Housing & Energy Services 

The Opportunity Alliance’s Department of Housing and Energy Services provides loans and grants for home repair, weatherization, fuel assistance, utility assistance, repair of heating systems and other like programs.

 

HoMEworks – Homebuyer Education

hoMEworks provides classes throughout the state and online. The classes help people through the homebuying process and their goal is to ensure successful homeownership.

 

South Portland Housing Authority

The South Portland Housing Authority (SPHA) provides quality housing for low to moderate income, elderly, individuals with disabilities and families in need. SPHA owns and/or manages over 600 units of housing throughout the City of South Portland.

 

Avesta Housing

Avesta Housing provides a range of housing-related services to low to moderate income, elderly, individuals with disabilities and families.

 

The Breathe Easy Coalition – Smoke Free Housing

The Breathe Easy Coalition works to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke through the promotion of strong voluntary smoke and tobacco-free policies.

 

Maine CDC – Division of Environmental Health – Free Lead Test Kit

The Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention provides free lead dust test kits to households living in a pre-1950 homes where young children are present or a new baby is expected.

 

Rental Housing Association of Southern Maine (RHASM)

The Rental Housing Association of Southern Maine (RHASM) is a local non-profit organization promoting communication and cooperation among owners and managers of rental property and working to educate the public, public officials, legislators, and tenants to the important services provided.

 

Maine HoMEworks – Landlord Education

Maine hoMEworks offers a two and a half hour landlord education course through its participating counseling agencies located across the state.

 

Landlord Obligations & Information (MaineHousing)

State law contains specific rights and obligations for tenants and landlords. This webpage provides general information on Maine landlord/tenant laws.

 

Maine Law on Evictions, Entry and Detainer

Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, Chapter 709: Entry and Detainer, details the State laws relating to evictions, notice requirements, rent increases, unpaid rent, unclaimed property, etc. 

 

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – Codes, Standards & Education

The NFPA website provides a variety of information including links to current codes and standards as well as training and public education.

 

South Portland Fire Department – Fire Prevention Division

The South Portland Fire Department takes an active role in our community to educate the public and prevent emergencies. This webpage provides an overview of the program as well as contact information.

 

State of Maine – Office of the State Fire Marshal

The Office of State Fire Marshal protects against the devastation of fire, explosions and life safety hazards through fire prevention, public education, planning, research, investigation and enforcement of enacted laws and rules.

 

South Portland Code of Ordinances

This webpage contains a master list of City codes and ordinances, including those related to housing, building and fire safety codes.

 

American Red Cross – Home Fire Campaign

The Home Fire Campaign helps save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes that don't have them, and by educating people about home fire safety.