Certain laws in Maine must be revised and one that needs immediate action concerns landlords and tenants.
Landlords are victimized under the existing laws when it comes to evictions, recovery of unpaid rent and damage to their properties.
It is important for landlords to check with the credit bureau before renting or leasing, and report problematic tenants.
If a tenant is several months past due in rental payments, that is a breach of rental agreement and the landlord has no choice but take the tenant to court in order to recover rental payments and/or have the tenant evicted. The law was written to protect the tenant more than landlords, in most cases.
Landlords are restricted from entering a rental property, whether it involves non-payment or damages to the premises caused by negligence, and must wait for a court-ordered eviction notice. The tenants are allowed to remain, rent free, until lawfully served with notice.
Landlords are left with court costs, attorney’s fees and loss of rental income, and cannot force restitution for property damages. Often, suing is not beneficial for landlords to pursue.
The Maine Legislature needs to revise existing laws to allow landlords more flexibility to recover damages not covered by insurance.
Robert P. Lacombe, Sabattus.
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