You have the right to live in safe housing.
Maine law requires landlords maintain a habitable living space, meaning safe and livable housing. It is illegal for a landlord to evict a tenant for reporting unsafe living conditions.
Examples of Unsafe Conditions
-No heat or not enough heat
-No water
-Leaking ceiling
-Blocked or no second exit
-Bug or rodent infestations
-Nonworking smoke detectors
-Broken windows
-Electrical hazards
report unsafe conditions
Step 1
Begin by reporting the issue to your landlord and requesting it be fixed. It's a good idea to make this request in writing, such as through a text message or email. Most landlords want to provide safe housing for their tenants and need to know when a problem exists.
Step 2
If the landlord does not fix the problem, follow up with a signed formal letter and keep a copy for your records.
Step 3
If the problem persists, contact the City of Augusta Code Enforcement Office at (207) 626-2365. You can request a visit from a Code Enforcement Officer or Health Officer to inspect the issue and send your landlord a letter addressing any code violations.
tenant responsibilities
-Report any detectors not working
-Report water issues: toilet, faucets, roof leaks, etc.
-No removal of any safety detectors
-No unattended cooking
-Keep exits and entrances clear: no personal storage
Additional Resources
For information on tenants’ rights and obligations under Maine law, see The Rights of Tenants in Maine, an easy-to-read handbook published by Pine Tree Legal Assistance, or The Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide, which includes chapters on consumer rights when renting an apartment (Chapter 14), consumer rights when living in a mobile home (Chapter 15), and a model landlord-tenant lease (Chapter 16).
Unsafe Conditions
Conditions
Responsibilities
Resources
-No heat or not enough heat
-No water
-Leaking ceiling
-Blocked or no second exit
-Bug or rodent infestations
-Nonworking smoke detectors
-Broken windows
-Electrical hazards
Step 1
Begin by reporting the issue to your landlord and requesting it be fixed. It's a good idea to make this request in writing, such as through a text message or email. Most landlords want to provide safe housing for their tenants and need to know when a problem exists.
Step 2
If the landlord does not fix the problem, follow up with a signed formal letter and keep a copy for your records.
Step 3
If the problem persists, contact the City of Augusta Code Enforcement Office at (207) 626-2365. You can request a visit from a Code Enforcement Officer or Health Officer to inspect the issue and send your landlord a letter addressing any code violations.
-Report any detectors not working
-No removal of any safety detectors
-Report water issues: toilet, faucets, roof leaks, etc.
-No unattended cooking
-Keep exits and entrances clear: no personal storage
Maine Law
For information on tenants’ rights and obligations under Maine law, see The Rights of Tenants in Maine, an easy-to-read handbook published by Pine Tree Legal Assistance, or The Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide, which includes chapters on consumer rights when renting an apartment (Chapter 14), consumer rights when living in a mobile home (Chapter 15), and a model landlord-tenant lease (Chapter 16).
Contact Information
Capital Area Housing Association
(207) 242-4535
Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Call (207) 942-8322 during call-in hours:
- Mondays 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
- Tuesdays 9:00 am – 11:30 am
- Thursdays 9:00 am – 11:30 am