Portland, ME local landlord rules
State law also applies. See Maine landlord-tenant law and the Maine landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Rent control / stabilization | Yes. For covered units, rent may be raised once every 12 months, by no more than the Allowable Increase Percentage published each year by the Housing Safety Office. Tax-rate adjustments and Rent Board-approved increases may be added. No increase may exceed 10%; any excess is banked. The landlord must give the tenant a signed notice at least 90 days before the increase. The ordinance also bars refusing to rent because of a tenant's source of income. |
| Rental licensing / registration | Yes. Rental units must be registered with the City by January 1 each year, and registration must be renewed annually. Units newly entering the rental market must be registered within 14 days. |
Details & sources
Rent control / stabilization
Yes. For covered units, rent may be raised once every 12 months, by no more than the Allowable Increase Percentage published each year by the Housing Safety Office. Tax-rate adjustments and Rent Board-approved increases may be added. No increase may exceed 10%; any excess is banked. The landlord must give the tenant a signed notice at least 90 days before the increase. The ordinance also bars refusing to rent because of a tenant's source of income.
Verified Source: Portland, Me., Code ch. 6, art. XII, §§ 6-233, 6-234, 6-237 · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑Rental licensing / registration
Yes. Rental units must be registered with the City by January 1 each year, and registration must be renewed annually. Units newly entering the rental market must be registered within 14 days.
Verified Source: Portland, Me., Code ch. 6, art. VI, § 6-151 · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
1 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.
| Topic | Status | Subtopics done |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Deposit return deadlines | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Rent increases and rent control | Checked: requirement found | 1 of 1 |
| Late fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Landlord entry | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Repairs and habitability | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Screening and application fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Fair housing and assistance animals | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Disclosures | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Renewal and termination | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Eviction | Not researched | 0 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
Maine rules that also apply in Portland:
- Security deposit limit
- May not exceed 2 months' rent. Separately, at move-in a landlord, agent or broker may not require more than the first full month's rent, the security deposit and properly disclosed mandatory recurring fees (§ 6022-A). Verified Source: 14 M.R.S. §§ 6032, 6022-A · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Maine security deposit limit page
- Deposit return deadline
- Written lease: within the time stated in the lease, but no more than 30 days. Tenancy at will: within 21 days after the tenancy ends or the premises are surrendered, whichever is later. Verified Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6033 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Maine deposit return deadline page
- Notice to enter
- Reasonable notice and entry only at reasonable times; 24 hours is presumed reasonable. Verified Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6025 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Maine notice to enter page
- Late fees
- Rent is late only if unpaid 15 days after it is due. The late penalty may not exceed 4% of one month's rent, and the tenant must have been told in writing at signing that it may be charged. Verified Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6028 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Maine late fees page
Other Maine cities
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