PORTLAND (AP) — Maine’s largest city has reorganized its housing safety office in response to an apartment fire that left six people dead in 2014.
The Bangor Daily News reports that Portland has found 81 “illegal” units at 72 properties since rolling out the reform in January 2017.
Some buildings have failed to conform with city code because of violations or a lack of city approval. So far, 33 landlords have opted to bring properties up to code.
Portland’s Permitting and Inspection Department Director Michael Russell said Portland is following up with owners of 16 properties that have received violation notices.
Landlords of 13 other properties decided to vacate and close the units.
Portland’s four full-time inspectors review 4,000 rentals annually. Russell said thousands of an estimated 18,000 rentals haven’t gotten a visit.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less