Maine Landlord Retaliation Laws

Maine Landlord Retaliation Laws

Last Updated: May 23, 2024 by Roberto Valenzuela

Tenant Protected Actions
  • Health/Safety Complaints to Gov’t
  • Repair Complaints to Landlord
  • Filing Fair Housing Complaint
  • Reporting a Victimization
  • Participation in a Tenant Organization
Landlord Retaliatory Actions
  • Eviction
Penalties for Retaliation
  • Eviction Fails

When Is It Illegal for Landlords to Retaliate in Maine?

It’s illegal for Maine landlords to retaliate by trying to evict tenants who have taken one of the following protected actions in the past six months:

  • Reporting health and safety violations
  • Complaining to the landlord about maintenance
  • Filing a fair housing complaint
  • Notifying the landlord of a victimization related to the tenancy
  • Participating in a tenant organization

The law allows an exception when the landlord can prove a non-retaliatory, good-faith reason for the alleged retaliatory action. For example, it’s not retaliation to evict a tenant who hasn’t ever paid the rent. There is also no presumption of retaliation when the tenant is being evicted after causing substantial damage to the rental property.

What Can Tenants Do in Response in Maine?

If a landlord attempts a retaliatory eviction in Maine, the tenant can respond by counter-suing for quiet enjoyment of the property. If the landlord can’t rebut a presumption of retaliation, the judge will dismiss the action and the eviction will fail.

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