Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §6025, sub-§§1 and 3, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 428, §10, are amended to read:

1. Tenant obligations. A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen workers or contractors.

A tenant may not change the lock to the dwelling unit without giving notice to the landlord and giving the landlord a duplicate key within 48 hours of the change.

3. Remedy. If a landlord makes an entry in violation of this section, makes a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated demands for entry otherwise lawful which that have the effect of harassing the tenant, the tenant shall may recover actual damages or $100, whichever is greater, and obtain injunctive relief to prevent recurrence of the conduct, and if he the tenant obtains a judgment after a contested hearing, reasonable attorneys' attorney's fees.

If a tenant changes the lock and does not provide the landlord with a duplicate key, in the case of emergency the landlord may gain admission through whatever reasonable means necessary and charge the tenant reasonable costs for any resulting damage.__If a tenant changes the lock and refuses to provide the landlord with a duplicate key, the landlord may terminate the tenancy with a 7-day notice.

SUMMARY

This bill clarifies a landlord's rights in cases where a tenant changes the lock to a dwelling without permission of the landlord.