Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10, ch. 953 § 9099
Implied warranty and covenant of habitability
Operative Text
1. Implied warranty of fitness for human habitation. In any written or oral agreement for rental of a space in a mobile home park, the park owner or operator is deemed to covenant and warrant that the space and its associated facilities are fit for human habitation. 2. Complaints. If a condition exists in a space which renders the space unfit for human habitation, a tenant may file a complaint against the park owner or operator in the District Court or Superior Court. The complaint must state that: A. A condition, which must be described, endangers or materially impairs the health or safety of the tenants; B. The condition was not caused by the tenant or another person acting under the tenant's control; C. Written notice of the condition was given without unreasonable delay to the park owner or operator or to the person who customarily collects rent on behalf of the park owner or operator. (1) This notice requirement may be satisfied by actual notice to the person who customarily collects rents on behalf of the park owner or operator; D. The park owner or operator unreasonably failed under the circumstances to take prompt, effective steps to repair or remedy the condition; and E. The tenant was current in rental payments owing to the park owner or operator when written notice was given. 3. Remedies. If a complaint is filed under this section, the court shall enter any temporary restraining orders that are necessary to protect the health or well-being of tenants or of the public. If the court finds that the allegations in the complaint are true, the park owner or operator is deemed to have breached the warranty of fitness for human habitation established by this section as of the date when actual notice of the condition was given to the park owner or operator. In addition to any other relief or remedies which may otherwise exist, the court may take one or more of the following actions. A. The court may issue appropriate injunctions ordering the park owner or operator to repair all conditions which endanger or materially impair the health or safety of the tenant. B. The court may determine the fair value of the tenant's use and occupancy of the space from the date when the park owner or operator received actual notice of the condition until the time that the condition is repaired and further declare what, if any, money the tenant owes the park owner or operator or what, if any, rebate the park owner or operator owes the tenant for rent paid in excess of the value of use and occupancy. In making this determination, there is a rebuttable presumption that the rental amount equals the fair value of the space free from any condition rendering it unfit for human habitation. C. The court may authorize the tenant to temporarily vacate the space if the space must be vacant during necessary repairs. No use and occupation charge may be incurred by a tenant until the tenant resumes occupation of the space. If the park owner or operator offers reasonable alternative housing accommodations, the court may not surcharge the park owner or operator for alternate tenant housing during the period of necessary repairs. D. The court may enter any other orders that it considers necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section. The court may not award consequential damages for breach of the warranty of fitness for human habitation. 4. Waiver. A written agreement under which the tenant accepts specified conditions which may violate the warranty of fitness for human habitation in return for a stated reduction in rent or other specified fair consideration is binding on the tenant and the park owner or operator. Any agreement, other than as provided in this subsection, by a tenant to waive any of the rights or benefits provided by this section is void. 5. Municipal ordinance or rule. Municipalities may adopt or retain, by ordinances or rules, standards more stringent than those provided in this section. Any less restrictive municipal ordinance or rule establishing standards is invalid and suspended by this section. 6. Applicability to renter. Notwithstanding the definition of "tenant" in section 9091, subsection 5 , this section applies to a person who rents a mobile home and rents the mobile home park lot on which the mobile home is located from a mobile home park operator.
Under 10 M.R.S. §§ 9091–9099, every rental agreement for a mobile home park space — whether written or oral — carries an automatic legal promise that the space and its associated facilities are fit for human habitation. When a condition arises that endangers or materially impairs health or safety, tenants have a path to court relief, provided they gave written notice to the park owner or operator and were current on rent at the time. Courts finding a breach of this warranty may order repairs, adjust rent to reflect the diminished value of the space, authorize temporary vacating during repairs, or issue other necessary orders, though consequential damages are not available under this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 10 M.R.S. §§ 9091–9099, park owners and operators are automatically bound by a warranty of habitability for every space they rent, regardless of what a lease does or does not say. Compliant operators generally maintain spaces and associated facilities in a condition that does not endanger or materially impair tenant health or safety, and they respond promptly and effectively when notified in writing of any such condition. Operators should be aware that a court may calculate rent rebates based on the difference between the amount charged and the fair value of the space in its impaired condition, dating back to when actual notice was received — making timely remediation a practical priority.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
10 M.R.S. §§ 9091–9099 gives mobile home park tenants — including those who rent both their home and the lot from the same operator — an implied warranty that their space and its facilities will be fit for human habitation. If a condition endangers or materially impairs health or safety, a tenant who has given written notice to the park owner or operator (or the person who customarily collects rent) and was current on rent at the time of that notice may file a complaint in District Court or Superior Court. Available remedies can include court-ordered repairs, rent adjustments, and permission to temporarily vacate during necessary repairs; tenants seeking to understand their options may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Maine mobile home park law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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