PORTLAND, Maine — The city of Portland is cracking down on landlords who aren’t complying with an ordinance aimed at making rental housing safer.
The city says 700 rental units still haven’t been registered.
They’ve sent out the final notice, and starting next week those landlords could face fines and legal action.
This is all part of an ordinance passed last year.
Owners of rental units have to register their properties and pay a fee to the city, which funds the new housing safety office, enforcing codes and conducting inspections.
So far, officials say more than 4,500 landlords have registered, representing about 18,000 units.
According to a letter mailed out last week, landlords have until Oct. 21 to comply.
If they don’t, they will be prosecuted and fined up to $100 per day.
The city had asked landlords to register by Jan. 1 of last year. Officials say they’ve been patient and haven’t enforced the penalties, but for some that seems to be the only way to get their attention.