Portland, Maine Rent Control Ordinance Update

The RHA is closely watching the proposed rent control referendum. The ordinance, if passed, would devastate rental housing in Portland by tracking and controlling the allowable rent on each unit FOREVER! Contrary to what most people assume and the way the initiative was initially presented, rents do not reset when a tenant vacates.

• Nearly doubling the current $35/unit fee to $60/unit
• Sets ‘base rents’ at whatever rental amount is in place on Nov 1, 2017
• Caps rent increases to CPI
• “Following [a] renovation…the Landlord may apply to the Rent Board for determination of the appropriate increase in rent.” The Rent Board consists of, among others, 4 tenants and 1 landlord.
• Limits the allowable rental increase, even on fully renovated units, to 10%
• Removes rental housing providers' ability to vacate tenants except under narrowly defined conditions, creating a perpetual tenancy situation for tenants. “The rental agreement cannot state any grounds for termination, nor can a tenancy be terminated for any reason other than the following…” – and a handful of conditions are defined.

…stay tuned!