1. Right to take possession after default. Except in the case of a residential real estate property preservation provider, a debt collector acting on behalf of a creditor may take possession of collateral only if possession can be taken without entry into a dwelling, unless that entry has been authorized after default and without the use of force or other breach of the peace.

[PL 2013, c. 521, Pt. E, §3 (AMD).]

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 11017

  • Consumer: means any natural person obligated or allegedly obligated to pay any debt. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 11002
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Creditor: means any person who offers or extends credit creating a debt or to whom a debt is owed, but that term does not include any person to the extent that he receives an assignment or transfer of a debt in default solely for the purpose of facilitating collection of that debt for another. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 11002
  • Debt: includes any obligation or alleged obligation for payment of child support owed to, or owed by, a resident of this State and any obligation or alleged obligation relating to a check returned because of insufficient funds if a consumer is subject to an enforcement program operated by a private entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 11002
  • Debt collector: includes persons who furnish collection systems carrying a name that simulates the name of a debt collector and who supply forms or form letters to be used by the creditor even though the forms direct the debtor to make payments directly to the creditor. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 11002
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Person: means any natural person, corporation, trust, partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association and any other legal entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 11002
  • Personal property: All property that is not real property.
  • Real estate: includes lands and all tenements and hereditaments connected therewith, and all rights thereto and interests therein. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
  • Residential real estate property preservation provider: means a person who regularly provides residential real estate property preservation services. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 11002
2. Return of private property. Except in the case of a residential real estate property preservation provider, a debt collector shall inventory any unsecured property taken with repossessed collateral and immediately notify the consumer that the property will be made available in a manner convenient to the consumer.

[PL 2013, c. 521, Pt. E, §3 (AMD).]

3. Special treatment for necessary medical device or equipment in a repossessed vehicle. A consumer who has unsecured property taken when a vehicle is repossessed pursuant to Title 29?A, section 665, subsection 6 may have that property returned by complying with this subsection.
The consumer shall notify the debt collector that:
A. Unsecured property was taken with a repossessed vehicle; [PL 2009, c. 45, §2 (NEW).]
B. The unsecured property includes a medical device or equipment necessary for health or welfare; and [PL 2009, c. 45, §2 (NEW).]
C. The consumer does not have practicable means to retrieve the medical device or equipment. [PL 2009, c. 45, §2 (NEW).]
If the consumer makes a reasonable request for the return of the medical device or equipment, the debt collector shall arrange to have the medical equipment or device promptly returned to the consumer. If the debt collector incurs expenses in actually returning the medical device or equipment to the consumer, those reasonable expenses are considered a reasonable charge incurred in realizing on a security interest in personal property, pursuant to Title 9?A, section 3?402, subsection 1, paragraph B, which may be added to the consumer’s indebtedness.

[PL 2009, c. 45, §2 (NEW).]

4. Residential real estate property preservation. A residential real estate property preservation provider may enter into a dwelling only if authorized by the terms of a note, contract or mortgage. The provider may not use force or effect a breach of the peace against any person. The provider shall inventory any unsecured items removed from the dwelling and immediately notify the appropriate consumer that the unsecured items will be made available in a manner convenient to the consumer. The provider shall make a permanent record of all steps taken to preserve and secure the dwelling and shall make that record and the inventory of removed unsecured items available to the consumer upon written request.

[PL 2013, c. 521, Pt. E, §4 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1993, c. 126, §3 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 45, §2 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 521, Pt. E, §§3, 4 (AMD).