Board fines landlord $120K for violations at 655 Congress Street

The Remote Rent Board Meeting held on June 25, 2025, in Portland, Maine, focused on significant discussions regarding rent increase appeals and violations associated with specific properties. The meeting began with a review of the financial implications of violations related to a landlord at 655 Congress Street.

The board addressed the calculation of fines for the landlord, which included a base fine of $433 for 433 months of violations, alongside 47 additional violations. A motion was proposed to impose a total fine of $120,000, calculated at $250 per month for the initial violations and $250 for each additional violation. After confirming the calculations, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously, indicating the board's commitment to enforcing compliance with rental regulations.

Following this, the meeting transitioned to unfinished business, specifically a completeness review of an application for a rent increase at 23 Saunders Street. The board discussed the necessity of ensuring that all required information was present before scheduling a public hearing. The applicant was invited to clarify changes made to the application since its original submission, particularly regarding the allocation of expenses across the entire building rather than just one unit.

The meeting concluded without further motions or discussions on the current agenda item, indicating a structured approach to addressing the issues at hand. The board's decisions reflect a proactive stance on maintaining rental standards and ensuring that landlords adhere to regulations. The next steps will involve scheduling a public hearing for the rent increase application once all necessary information is confirmed.