Maine HOA Laws: Fines, Foreclosure & Your Rights (2026)

Maine’s rules split by community type. Condominiums fall under the Maine Condominium Act (33 MRSA § 1601 et seq.), which lets associations suspend privileges of owners who don’t pay — but they may NOT deny you access to your own unit. Non-condominium HOAs have no dedicated statute; they operate under nonprofit corporate law (Title 13-B) and their recorded covenants, so fining power and procedure come from your documents. There is no statutory dollar cap either way. Maine’s solar law is a standout: HOA prohibitions on solar energy devices — and even solar clothes-drying devices (clotheslines) — are void and unenforceable.

For condominiums, Maine gives associations strong lien power: unpaid assessments (and, unless the declaration says otherwise, late charges, fines, and interest) become a lien foreclosable like a mortgage (§ 1603-116). The association’s lien is generally junior to a first mortgage and tax liens — BUT up to six months of regular assessments (“priority amounts”) plus costs and attorney fees can jump ahead of even a first mortgage. The lien is extinguished if not enforced within five years, and you can demand a binding payoff statement within 10 business days. Non-condo HOAs rely on their covenants for any lien/foreclosure authority.

Maine has one of the broadest solar protections in the country. Any HOA, condo, or unit-owner association rule, bylaw, or regulation prohibiting a solar energy device — or even a solar clothes-drying device — on your residential property is void and unenforceable. Associations may impose only reasonable restrictions necessary to protect public health, safety, or historical/aesthetic values, and only when a comparable alternative of similar cost and convenience is available. You can also record a solar easement (§ 1401) to protect sun access.

Maine condominium owners have a clear records right: within ten days of a written request, all association records must be available for examination and copying during reasonable business hours or at a mutually convenient time (§ 1603-118). Certain records are exempt — executive-session minutes, attorney-client privileged materials, records of disciplinary/collection actions against members, and personnel records. Reasonable copy fees apply. Non-condo HOAs organized as nonprofits give members inspection rights under Title 13-B § 715.

No. Everything here is general legal information for education. How a statute applies to you depends on your governing documents and facts we can’t see. For a dispute involving your money or your home, talk to a licensed Maine attorney. Read the full disclaimer.