Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 22, §§ 1315–1331 (housing) § 1325
Violation
Operative Text
A person who violates any section of this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter commits a Class E crime. In addition, other than for a violation covered under section 1316‑A , the department may, in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4 , impose an administrative penalty not to exceed $500 for a violation of this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense. Violations existing within individual dwelling units are considered separate violations. An action commenced by the department to enforce any administrative penalty imposed under this section may be brought in the name of the State in the Superior Court in the county where the violation occurred or in Kennebec County and must be prosecuted by the Attorney General. The court shall award to the State all costs in bringing the enforcement action as well as reasonable interest on penalties not paid. This section does not limit the authority of the Department of Environmental Protection to seek penalties for violations under the authority of Title 38, section 349 . All penalties and awards collected under this section must be deposited in the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund established under section 1322‑E .
Under Maine law at 22 M.R.S. § 1325, any violation of the housing chapter or its implementing rules is treated as a Class E crime. Beyond criminal liability, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services may impose administrative penalties of up to $500 per violation, with each day a violation continues and each affected dwelling unit counting as a separate offense. Penalty funds collected are deposited into the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund, and the State may pursue enforcement through the Superior Court with the Attorney General prosecuting and costs awarded to the State.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to 22 M.R.S. § 1325 generally maintain ongoing compliance with all requirements of the housing chapter and its rules, because each day a violation persists and each individual dwelling unit affected can be treated as a distinct offense. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections and promptly remediate any identified issues to avoid accumulating separate daily or per-unit penalties. Because violations can also constitute a Class E crime, operators in this space commonly keep thorough documentation of corrective actions taken.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 22 M.R.S. § 1325, tenants living in conditions that may violate Maine's housing chapter have the benefit of a legal framework that treats each affected unit as a separate violation, which can strengthen the overall enforcement picture. Tenants may report suspected violations to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, which has authority to investigate and impose administrative penalties. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand available options, including whether a violation might also be raised as a defense in related housing proceedings.
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.
Effective Timeline
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