Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 5, §§ 4551–4640 (housing subchs.) § 4582-A
Unlawful housing discrimination on the basis of disability
Operative Text
It is unlawful housing discrimination, in violation of this Act: 1. Modifications. For any owner, lessor, sublessor, managing agent or other person having the right to sell, rent, lease or manage a housing accommodation or any of their agents to refuse to permit, at the expense of a person with physical or mental disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by that person if the modifications may be necessary to give that person full enjoyment of the premises, except that, with a rental, the landlord, when it is reasonable to do so, may condition permission for a modification on the renter's agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted; 2. Accommodations. For any owner, lessor, sublessor, managing agent or other person having the right to sell, rent, lease or manage a housing accommodation or any of their agents to refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when those accommodations are necessary to give a person with physical or mental disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing; or 3. Assistance animals. For any owner, lessor, sublessor, managing agent or other person having the right to sell, rent, lease or manage a housing accommodation or any of their agents to refuse to permit the use of an assistance animal or otherwise discriminate against an individual with a physical or mental disability who uses an assistance animal at the housing accommodation unless it is shown by defense that the assistance animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or the use of the assistance animal would result in substantial physical damage to the property of others or would substantially interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of the housing accommodation by others. The use of an assistance animal may not be conditioned on the payment of a fee or security deposit, although the individual with a physical or mental disability is liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such an assistance animal.
Maine law under 5 M.R.S. § 4582-A establishes three categories of unlawful housing discrimination against people with physical or mental disabilities. First, housing providers must allow tenants to make reasonable modifications to their unit at the tenant's own expense, though landlords may require restoration of the interior upon move-out. Second, housing providers must make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services so that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their housing. Third, housing providers must permit assistance animals without charging any additional fee or security deposit, unless the animal poses a direct threat to health or safety, causes substantial physical damage, or substantially interferes with others' reasonable enjoyment of the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 5 M.R.S. § 4582-A, compliant housing operators generally have written processes for evaluating requests for reasonable modifications and reasonable accommodations from residents with disabilities. When approving a modification in a rental context, operators may—where reasonable—include a condition in writing requiring the tenant to restore the interior to its prior condition, excluding normal wear and tear. Operators also review assistance-animal requests on an individualized basis and do not impose extra fees or deposits for approved assistance animals, while documenting any direct-threat or substantial-damage determinations if a request is denied.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4582-A of Maine's civil rights law gives tenants with physical or mental disabilities the right to request reasonable modifications to their unit, reasonable accommodations in housing rules or policies, and permission to keep an assistance animal—all without being charged an extra fee or deposit for the animal. If a housing provider refuses such a request or imposes unlawful conditions, a tenant may file a complaint under the Maine Human Rights Act with the Maine Human Rights Commission, which enforces these provisions. Tenants may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the range of options available under § 4582-A.
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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