Rental Housing Resources

Rights & Responsibilities of Tenants & Landlords

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

• Rights and Responsibilities of Tenant and Landlords (PDF)

Below are links to the additional required disclosure forms:

• Energy Efficiency Disclosure (PDF)
• Lead Paint Disclosure (PDF)
• Lead Paint Pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home"
• Radon Disclosure Statement (PDF)
  • Radon in Rental Housing, A Serious Hidden Danger To Family Health (PDF)
• Radon in Rental Housing Pamphlet (PDF)
• Smoking Policy Disclosure (written notice to be provided by the landlord)

Housing Ordinances

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

View a Questions and Answers document (PDF) regarding Rent Stabilization.

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 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 & Landlord Resources & Information

• Maine Rental Housing Guide (PDF) (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 and Urban Development (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 and 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 and 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 and Prevention provides free lead dust test kits to households living in 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 and 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, and 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.