Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §6015, as amended by PL 1985, c. 293, §4, is further amended to read:

§6015. Notice of rent increase

Rent charged for residential estates may be increased by the lessor only after providing at least 30 days' written notice to the tenant. A written or oral waiver of this requirement is against public policy and is void. In the event the increase in rent charged is 10% or greater than the rent charged before the increase, the lessor must provide at least 90 days' written notice to the tenant.__In the event the increase is 20% or greater than the rent charged before the increase, the lessor must provide at least 180 days' written notice to the tenant.__The notice of increase must be given on the date the normal rent is due. Any person in violation of this section is liable for the return of any sums unlawfully obtained from the lessee, with interest, and reasonable attorneys' attorney's fees and costs.

SUMMARY

This bill changes the amount of time given to a tenant of a notice of a rent increase from 30 days' to 90 days' written notice if the increase is 10% or greater than the rent charged before the increase. It also requires a 6-month notice if the increase is greater than 20% of the rent charged before the increase.