Bill > LD1344

This bill addresses the issue of mold in rental properties by establishing new requirements for investigating and remediating nonsurface mold in tenant-occupied dwelling units. Specifically, the bill mandates that when a tenant files a complaint about nonsurface mold (mold growing beneath surfaces like walls or floors), a local health officer must conduct an investigation and submit a written report within 90 days. If the investigation determines that there is an unhealthy level of nonsurface mold, the landlord must present a remediation plan to the tenant within 5 business days. The landlord is then responsible for removing the mold, and a local health officer must subsequently verify that all surface mold has been eliminated. If the landlord fails to successfully remediate the nonsurface mold within 60 days of the initial report, the tenant gains the right to file a complaint under the implied warranty and covenant of habitability laws. The bill defines a local health officer as a person appointed under Title 22, section 451, and considers the presence of an unhealthy level of nonsurface mold a breach of the implied warranty of habitability for rental properties.

Justice

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1344&snum=132