Portland Rent Board approves decisions on three landlord cases; fines and rent rollbacks ordered in one appeal

The Portland Rent Board on June 25 adopted written decisions in two landlord applications and issued multiple sanctions after hearing an appeal over conditions and alleged overcharges at 655 Congress Street.

The most consequential rulings affected 655 Congress Street, where the board found the landlord in substantial noncompliance, ordered banked rents forfeited, directed that rents be rolled back to the last compliant level and ordered a civil fine. The board also adopted findings and decisions for 29 Paris Street and a consolidated decision covering 63, 65 and 69 Grant Street.

Why it matters: The board’s findings in the 655 Congress Street appeal included remedies commonly used in Portland’s rent code — forfeiture of banked increases, rollbacks to the last compliant rent level and civil penalties — and will affect tenant refunds and any future rent notices for that building. The consolidated decisions on Grant Street and the Paris Street decision resolve landlord applications the board had been processing and set the legal base for future rent adjustments at those properties.

What the board decided - 29 Paris Street: The board voted to approve and adopt the proposed decision and findings as presented by counsel and staff. Motion to adopt was moved and seconded and carried unanimously by the members present.

- 63, 65 and 69 Grant Street (consolidated decision): The board adopted a single decision consolidating findings for three buildings owned by the same owner. Counsel framed the consolidated format as preferable for readability when identical ownership and overlapping housing service costs are at issue. The motion to adopt passed unanimously.

- 655 Congress Street (appeal): After a contested review the board took several formal actions that were each moved, seconded and carried by the members present: • The board found that a tenants’ organization (Trelawny Tenants Union) had standing to press the rights of all tenants at 655 Congress Street under Section 6-2-43(a) of the municipal rental ordinance. The motion carried by recorded vote. • The board found 655 Congress Street LLC in substantial noncompliance with Section 6-2-34 (B and C) for a period the board specified up to the public hearing date of May 28, 2025. • The board ordered forfeiture of banked rent at 655 Congress Street effective Dec. 1, 2022, through May 28, 2025. • The board ordered rents rolled back to the last compliant rent level charged on or before Dec. 1, 2022 (or otherwise shown in licensing/housing safety records), and ordered that any rent collected above that level be refunded to tenants of affected units. • The board assessed a civil fine of $120,000 against the landlord, computed from a board formula described in the motion (433 months at $2.50/month plus 47 additional violations at $2.50 each, as adjusted and recorded in the motion).

Each of those motions recorded an affirmative vote from the members present. The board noted that some housing inspection notices of violation related to the property remain under appeal in court; board counsel and staff clarified the board must still adjudicate the appeal on the record before it even if related notices are under separate administrative or judicial review.

What the votes mean next: The 655 Congress Street rulings require staff follow-up to calculate precise refund amounts per unit and to implement the forfeiture and fine. The board’s decisions are subject to any independent appeal channels available under the municipal code and state law.

Ending: The board recorded motions and roll-call votes on the record and instructed staff and counsel to prepare final decision forms reflecting the board’s findings and remedies.