Bill > LD1806

This bill creates a comprehensive residential rental unit registry administered by the Secretary of State, requiring owners of residential rental units to register annually with detailed information such as contact details, property addresses, and the number of units they own. Starting January 1, 2026, corporations, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies will need to indicate on their annual report forms whether they provide residential rental units. Beginning January 1, 2027, these entities will be required to submit additional detailed information about their rental properties. Landlords who do not register their rental units will face significant penalties, including being prohibited from serving eviction notices for nonpayment of rent and potentially being subject to a civil violation fine of three times the monthly rent. The registry will be a publicly accessible, searchable database, and municipalities will be able to access rental unit data for their specific areas. Certain types of rental units are exempt from registration, including subsidized housing and units with fewer than 10 total units owned by the same entity. The registration fee will be designed to cover administrative expenses, with specific exemptions for smaller property owners and those with rent-restricted units. The full implementation of the registry's enforcement mechanisms is set to take effect on January 1, 2028.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1806&snum=132