Housing (Renters)

failed · Maine · House Jun 9, 2025

LD 1479: An Act To Protect Senior Homeowners In Home-Sharing Agreements By Providing For An Expedited Eviction Process

LD 1479 creates a faster eviction process for senior homeowners (65 or older) who rent a room in their home through a "home-sharing agreement." The bill defines this as a tenancy where a senior homeowner leases a room to a tenant in their occupied residence. Under the law, landlords must give written notice of the violation, requiring tenants to leave within seven days. If tenants don't vacate, they're treated as trespassers, their belongings are considered abandoned, and landlords can request law enforcement assistance for eviction.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill expedites evictions for senior landlords in home-sharing, weakening tenant protections by reducing notice periods and classifying non-compliant tenants as trespassers.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Maine · House Jun 18, 2025

LD 1765: An Act To Ensure Affordability And Stability In Housing For Mobile Home Park Residents

LD 1765 limits rent and fee increases for mobile home park residents in Maine. It prohibits park owners from raising rent or fees more than once yearly and caps increases at either 5% of current rent or the Consumer Price Index plus 1% (whichever is lower), requiring justification for increases as necessary for actual operating costs. The bill mandates written disclosure of all fees before occupancy, 30-day written notice for changes (with certified mail for rent hikes), and annual municipal reporting to verify compliance. It also allows tenants to sue for illegally collected fees and recover attorney's fees if owners violate these rules. The law directly affects mobile home park residents by protecting them from excessive or sudden rent increases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps rent increases at 5% or CPI+1%, mandates fee disclosures, and requires justification for hikes, directly protecting tenant affordability and stability in mobile home parks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

signed · Maine · House Jun 20, 2025

LD 1041: An Act To Preserve Affordability In Publicly Assisted Housing Developments

LD 1041 requires owners of low-income rental housing (with five or more units subject to rent or income restrictions) to notify tenants, tenant organizations, the Maine State Housing Authority, and local housing authorities before selling, transferring, or taking actions that would end those restrictions. The notice must include the property address and is designed to provide advance warning to affected parties. The bill defines "financial assistance" as government funding tied to making housing affordable and applies to properties receiving federal, state, or local aid requiring affordable rents or income-based eligibility. This law aims to maintain long-term affordability in publicly assisted housing developments by ensuring transparency during ownership changes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires advance notice before sale/transfer of low-income housing to prevent loss of affordability, protecting tenants and preserving subsidized units.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 847: An Act To Prohibit Housing Discrimination

LD 847 prohibits housing discrimination in Maine by banning landlords from refusing to rent or negotiating for rental housing based on a tenant's **source of income**, such as housing vouchers, public assistance, Social Security benefits, or rental subsidies. It also prevents landlords from assessing a tenant's full rent amount when part of the rent is subsidized, requiring financial evaluations to apply only to the unsubsidized portion. The law, effective January 1, 2026, applies to most rental properties (excluding landlords with fewer than four units) and allows victims to seek $1,000 penalties or actual damages for violations. This directly affects renters using government assistance and landlords managing rental housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination against tenants using housing vouchers/public assistance, directly protecting vulnerable renters and expanding access to affordable housing.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits housing discrimination against tenants using housing vouchers/subsidies, benefiting immigrant tenants reliant on public assistance programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 1522: An Act To Establish The Maine Eviction Prevention Program

LD 1522 establishes the Maine Eviction Prevention Program within the Maine State Housing Authority to provide rental assistance to low-income renters. It directly affects individuals earning no more than 60% of the area median income who face eviction threats or pay over 30% of their income in rent. The program covers rental arrears and offers up to 12 months of additional help for those paying excessive rent, prioritizing: (1) those with an eviction summons, (2) those with an eviction notice for nonpayment, and (3) those paying over 30% of income in rent. Participants must pay 30% of their income toward rent and live in housing at or below 125% of HUD’s fair market rent, with landlords prohibited from evicting participants for nonpayment during assistance.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes rental assistance program to prevent evictions for low-income tenants, directly strengthening tenant protections and affordable housing access per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 748: An Act To Increase Bridging Rental Assistance Program Housing Voucher Funding To Reduce The Current Partial Waiting List And Increase Housing Vouchers For Persons Living With Mental Health Challenges

This bill increases annual funding by $660,000 for Maine's Bridging Rental Assistance Program to address higher costs from a 2021 policy change that required the program to cover more of participants' rent. The program provides housing vouchers to individuals living with mental health challenges who are on a waiting list for rental assistance. The additional funding aims to reduce the current partial waiting list and expand the number of available housing vouchers. The funding applies to the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases $660,000 annual funding for housing assistance program, directly expanding government spending on public services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds housing vouchers specifically for persons with mental health challenges, directly expanding access to housing as a healthcare support service.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases $660,000 annual funding for housing vouchers to reduce waiting lists and expand assistance for vulnerable populations, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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signed · Maine · Senate Jul 7, 2025

LD 1287: An Act To Support Workforce Development By Establishing The Housing Stability Fund

LD 1287 establishes Maine's Housing Stability Fund and Housing Stability Support Program to prevent evictions for low-income renters. The program provides up to $3,000 per household ($300 monthly max) in direct rental assistance to tenants earning under 30% of the area median income (per HUD standards), excluding those using federal housing vouchers. Administered by qualified entities like community action agencies, it requires landlords to be paid directly and limits administrative costs to 10% of funds. The bill appropriates $1.9 million annually from the General Fund to sustain the program, targeting renters facing housing instability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded housing assistance program, increasing public spending on rental support for low-income households under 30% AMI.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Housing Stability Fund providing direct rental assistance to low-income renters to prevent evictions, directly supporting tenant protections and affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

signed · Maine · House Jun 22, 2025

LD 1471: An Act To Require Energy Efficiency Disclosure Statements And Energy Efficiency Standards For Certain Rental Housing In The State

This bill requires landlords in Maine to provide tenants with energy efficiency disclosure statements starting January 1, 2030, detailing a rental unit’s energy performance. Beginning January 1, 2035, landlords must meet minimum insulation standards for rental units, with tenants able to terminate leases or receive 50% of monthly heating costs (if they pay for heat) until standards are met. Exemptions apply to owner-occupied buildings with three or fewer units, short-term rentals under 30 days, and units rented less than two years in a five-year period. The law also prohibits landlords from retaining security deposits for lease terminations due to non-compliance and protects tenants from retaliation if they assert these rights.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy efficiency standards and insulation for rental housing, directly promoting reduced energy waste and improved building performance per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates energy efficiency standards and tenant protections (50% heating cost refund/lease termination) for rental housing, reducing long-term costs and strengthening tenant rights in housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Homeownership Renters Tenant Rights

signed · Maine · House Jun 8, 2025

LD 546: Resolve, To Require The Preparation Of Preapproved Building Types

LD 546 requires Maine's Department of Agriculture to contract a consultant to develop 5-8 preapproved building types (like single-family homes, duplexes, and mixed-use buildings) that municipalities may adopt. Each type must include 8-10 design options reflecting local architecture, meet building codes, and include units where rent does not exceed 30% of the county's median income. The bill mandates public input through surveys and feedback on draft designs, and requires compliance with fire safety standards. The department must submit a report by November 2026 with recommendations for streamlining permit approvals for these preapproved types. This aims to reduce building permit processing time and costs for municipalities and developers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates rent ≤30% of county median income for preapproved housing units, directly advancing affordability through design requirements and public input.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Renters

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 384: An Act To Prevent Student Homelessness

This bill establishes Maine's Student Homelessness Prevention Program within the Department of Education to help elementary and secondary students avoid homelessness. It provides up to $750 per academic year in direct financial assistance to families of students at risk of homelessness for housing needs like rent, utilities, or critical repairs. The program is funded through an annual $1.5 million appropriation from the General Fund, with assistance not counted as income for tax or public assistance eligibility. The program builds on federal McKinney-Vento requirements by proactively identifying at-risk students and offering immediate financial support to maintain stable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds $1.5M student homelessness program via General Fund appropriation, supporting public service spending and aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct financial aid ($750/student) to prevent student homelessness, ensuring educational stability through Department of Education program, directly advancing access and support for K-12 students.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides direct financial assistance for housing needs (rent, utilities) to prevent student homelessness, funding a dedicated housing program within state education department.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters