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Maine Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: At what point in the settlement process for personal injury do medical records need to be made available to the OP?

No formal response to our demand letter has been received yet, but the opposing counsel representing an insurance company has verbally hinted to our attorney that they may consider a settlement for less than a quarter of the damages their client (our landlord) caused. They want our medical records... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 31, 2024

In a personal injury case, the exchange of medical records typically occurs during the discovery phase, which starts after a lawsuit is filed. However, in many cases, the parties engage in pre-litigation settlement negotiations before a lawsuit is formally initiated. During these negotiations, the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: How do we stop our landlord from pressuring us to sign a settlement agreement?

Our landlord is afraid we are going to sue him for damages related to mold on the property that has made us sick. We have made it very clear to him and to his insurance company that we aren’t seeking legal action, but he is insisting that we sign a settlement agreement that we are not comfortable... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Sep 12, 2023

You do not need to cite any specific Maine or federal regulation. The simple response is you cannot be compelled to enter into a settlement agreement in these circumstances, especially if you are not comfortable with it. A settlement is a voluntary agreement, so if you do not agree, then there is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Maine on
Q: Can a house that is going through probate in Maine be rented out? If so, how does this get initiated legally?

My mother passed last summer. House is still in probate, but her will left it to her five adult children. Can we legally rent the house out before the title is transferred to us? If so, how do we go about setting up the rental agreement?

Daniel J. Eccher
Daniel J. Eccher
answered on May 22, 2023

Probably, yes; it is quite common for people to rent real estate that is in probate. The "landlord" is technically the probate estate; the person with control would be the Personal Representative (PR) of the estate. If no one has been appointed as PR of the estate, you should petition the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Can a landlord ask for more security deposit without proof that repairs have cost more than you deposit after signing

Landlord has asked for more security deposit claiming we have cussed more damage than the deposits but will not provide receipts for the repairs and no repairs have been done over 100$

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Feb 26, 2023

The first place to look for the answer to your question is the lease – if you have one. The lease terms should address this. If the lease terms do not or if you do not have a written lease, then Pine Tree Legal has this to say: Security deposits are your money that a landlord is just holding.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Can another tenant put up a camera in a shared back yard? Nothing in lease. What forms do I need to sue?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Feb 19, 2023

I previously answered a very similar version of this same question and my prior answer should be helpful here. As far as your request for forms needed to sue, here is a link to the State of Maine Judicial Branch Court Forms Search web page:... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Can a tenant put up a camera that is shared by two separate tenants. Is it a privacy issue?

I don't want to be recorded while in the back yard. Can he be made to take it down legal and if so how do I go about doing it?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Feb 17, 2023

Your question is missing a number of critical facts. Are you the landlord? Do you own the building the tenant is in? Do you also live in that building? Is it your backyard? Is the tenant putting the camera on the outside of the building?

As a general matter, the first place to look for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate, Foreclosure and Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: My mom and a house mate bought a house together. The housemate file chapter 7 of part of the house that she owns mom pas

Away and now I don’t know what to do. Nothing was in place no well, no nothing.

Daniel J. Eccher
Daniel J. Eccher
answered on Feb 17, 2023

Your mother's half of the house is now part of her probate estate, so you (or another heir) need to open probate by filing an application with the local probate court to be appointed as "Personal Representative" (PR; formerly known as "Executor") of her estate. Then, you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Landlord options if they miss required window to notify tenant of increase in rent

As a landlord, if I ask a tenant to pay a higher monthly rent upon renewal of the lease, but I notify the tenant of my increase after the state of Maine required 45 days notice and the tenant refuses to accept my proposed increase, can I choose not to renew that lease and then find new tenants who... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Jan 26, 2023

It depends on how you do it and what the terms of the current lease and your notice of rent increase provide. I would need to review the current lease and the notice of rent increase to provide you with an accurate and more complete answer. As a general matter, however, if you make it clear the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Landlord - Tenant, Probate and Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: What is the eviction process like in a probate related case?
Daniel J. Eccher
Daniel J. Eccher
answered on Jan 19, 2023

The eviction process in a probate case is very much like the usual eviction process, with a couple of key differences. Usually, it is the Personal Representative of the estate who stands in the shoes of the landlord. The Personal Representative gives the tenants facing eviction proper notice, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: What's the difference between a felony and a felony waiver

I have a felony but I never did prison time on the application is it still recognized as a felon

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Jul 2, 2022

If you have been convicted of a felony, it is on your record, even if you did not serve any jail time.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: What means do I have for removing someone from a property deed? I'm the only one on the mortgage. Not married.
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 22, 2021

You might offer them enough money to Deed their interest. If there is enough equity, you may have to hire an attorney to file an Action for a Sale for Partition.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Can I withhold rent payment if landlord illegal entry/ without proper notice on commercial lease.

Landlord wants to put up brokers marketing sign in our lease space before our lease term expires. Lease does not have the provision that landlord can enter and put up the sign. Can tenant withhold rent payment or charge landlord for usage of leased property (window) for advertising?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 10, 2021

The answer to whether your landlord can put up a broker’s marketing sign in your lease space before your lease term expires will likely depend on the language of your lease. It is generally standard for a commercial lease to contain a provision allowing a landlord to do this under certain... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: My current landlord and I resigned the lease but never changed the dates on my copy, is my lease still active?

My copy still has the old dates of 11/1/20 to 11/1/2021. They just had me resign but didn’t change any of the dates and it’s 15 days early.. is my lease good or does it technically not start yet?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Oct 21, 2021

This question is difficult to answer properly without seeing the lease, but in general, the answer will depend on the intent of the parties in resigning the lease. If you both resigned the lease with the intent to extend the term for the same period, i.e. another year, then your current lease will... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: My landlord keeps texting me saying they need to get into the house and giving me a few hours notice at best.

On 2 occasions my landlord has text me saying they need to get the furnace cleaned and asked if I could be at home to do so with a 30 min notice. Is this legal?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Oct 21, 2021

Applicable Maine law provides as follows: "A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services or exhibit... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: I have an annoying landlord who enjoys harassing us about our own life decisions.

N/A

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Oct 19, 2021

I suggest you contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance: https://ptla.org/contact-us#Augusta

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: After eviction for lease expiration, the tenant owes close to $10,000.00; how can landlord claim,track tenant&collect?

My understanding is that small claim court limit is much less than that in Maine. Do I need a lawyer? How much does it roughly cost?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Oct 13, 2021

You are correct about small claims court – the limit is $6,000. If the landlord is an entity, then the general rule is the entity needs to be represented in court by an attorney (it cannot represent itself). If the landlord is a natural person, he or she can represent themselves in court,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Do I have to pay my share of rental if I move before the lease ends and landlord does a walk through?

Signed a year lease on a 2 bedroom and my relationship with my roommate became untenable to where I did not feel comfortable staying there. I told the landlord that I

was going to move but would pay out the lease (two more months). I found another place and the landlord has done a... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Sep 25, 2021

You say, “the manager made it clear I was not required to . . . pay out the lease (two more months).” If that constituted a binding agreement, then you have no legal obligation to pay any more rent.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: I paid ( in full) a year long lease and my landlord died. Can the new owner evict before my paid lease is up?

They have already had a sheriff server everyone in nearby units, but we paid the whole year upfront.

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Aug 24, 2021

The answer will depend primarily if not exclusively on the terms of the lease, but the fact that you paid a year's worth of rent upfront may entitle you to remain in the leased property until the end of that period.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Maine on
Q: Got a lease 10/1/20 for 1 year and month to month after. Landlord passed 01/21. Haven't heard a peep. He lived in NY.

I went as far as calling the bank, then calling the probate court,, getting the lawyers name, calling and leaving a voicemail and have not heard anything. Reecntly financial troubles arose I had to dip into the saved rent money and now do not have what I would technically owe. I am fearful someone... View More

Daniel J. Eccher
Daniel J. Eccher
answered on Jul 13, 2021

You are in a very tenuous situation; you should be looking for a new home for both you and your parents that you can afford. It seems as if you have paid for repairs, but you have not guarantee that you will ever be reimbursed for that. Do you know how much the mortgage payments are? If you are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Can a landlord evict me after I took back property he stole from me?

I got a pressure washer for free one fall day with the landlords boyfriend. Stored it under the porch to my apartment. boyfriend then took it, told me he threw it away because he thought it was his. He pulled it out of his garage 2wks later asked me to check it over and see what it needed to work.... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Jul 12, 2021

You have not provided enough facts for me to answer your question. For example, do you have a written lease? Did the landlord provide you with a written notice to quit? If so, what did it say?

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