This bill prohibits landlords from charging potential tenants a fee to submit a rental application. Landlords are still allowed to charge for actual costs related to conducting a one-time background check, credit check, or other screening once a year. The bill was originally broader, but was amended to reduce its scope.
Tenants in Maine are routinely charged $35 and more to apply to rent units across the state. Those fees add up quickly in a tight housing market when people often have to apply to numerous landlords before securing housing and can prevent people from even applying for housing when it becomes available. By limiting landlords to charging fees only for the actual costs incurred for background checks, prospective tenants are more likely to be able to apply for consideration, only being charged once they reach a screening phase.
The amended bill passed both houses (no Senate roll call) and Gov. Janet Mills signed it into law.
House Roll Call #265, no Senate roll call