Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling is recommending a number of new proposals for landlords, including restrictions on how often rent can be raised and limits on no-cause evictions.
“Last weekend I was at the Italian heritage festival, and within 20 minutes of walking around, two people came up to me talking about how they were being forced out of their homes because their buildings were being sold,” Strimling told the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. “And every week I get calls in my office from people with the same kinds of stories. So if we have to push the envelope a little bit then we’re going to push the envelope. But I do believe that what we’re doing will meet the law and will survive any challenge.”
According to MPBN, Strimling wants to limit rent increases to once a year, or prohibit hikes altogether if a building’s landlord owns any rental property that isn’t up to code.
The Portland mayor also hopes to restrict the number of no-cause evictions of renters who lack a lease, and require landlords to rent to tenants who receive housing vouchers.
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