Maine Landlord-Tenant Law
Know your rights as a renter in Maine. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Maine law.
Legal basis: Maine landlord-tenant law — Maine Revised Statutes
30
Days to Return Deposit
2 months' rent
Max Deposit
Reasonable
Entry Notice
Required
Deposit Escrow
What Maine law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
2 months' rent
Return Deadline
30 daysor less if the written lease sets it; 21 days after a tenancy at will ends
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Maine law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Landlord who wrongfully withholds may owe double the amount withheld.
Interest on your deposit is not required
Grace period
Rent is not late until 15 days after the due date, and the tenant must have been told in writing at signing that a fee could be charged
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
Reasonable notice
24 hours is presumed reasonable (14 M.R.S. § 6025(2))
In Maine, this notice is not a fixed minimum: 24 hours is only presumed reasonable.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property.
45 days notice (75 if 10%+)
Legal basis: 14 M.R.S. § 6015
14 days for repair-and-deduct; written notice required
Legal basis: 14 M.R.S. §§ 6021, 6026
6 months protected
Legal basis: 14 MRSA § 6001
7 or 30 days' notice
Legal basis: 14 M.R.S. § 6001
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: 14 MRSA § 6014
Important facts about Maine rental law
Maine limits security deposits to 2 months' rent, except in a building of 5 or fewer units where the landlord lives in one of the units (14 M.R.S. § 6032, § 6037(2)).
Maine landlords must return the deposit, or itemize what they keep, within the time a written lease states (not more than 30 days), or within 21 days after a tenancy at will ends or the premises are surrendered and accepted, whichever is later (14 M.R.S. § 6033).
Maine requires landlords to provide written notice of tenant rights at lease signing.
Maine tenants have strong protections against retaliatory evictions.
Something else? Contact our team
In Maine, the security deposit limit is 2 months' rent.
Maine landlords must return security deposits within 30 days after you move out (or less if the written lease sets it; 21 days after a tenancy at will ends).
In Maine, landlords must give reasonable notice before entering your rental unit (24 hours is presumed reasonable (14 M.R.S. § 6025(2))).
Late fees in Maine: 4% of monthly rent. State law provides a 15-day grace period before a late fee can apply.
45 days notice (75 if 10%+). 45 days' written notice before raising rent or a mandatory recurring fee (14 M.R.S. § 6015). 75 days if rent goes up 10% or more, counting increases in the past 12 months (14 M.R.S. § 6015). No increase while the unit is not fit to live in, unless you caused the problem (14 M.R.S. § 6016). No statewide rent cap. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6015.
14 days for repair-and-deduct; written notice required. Every rental carries a warranty that the home is fit to live in (14 M.R.S. § 6021(2)). To go to court, you must have given written notice, the landlord must have failed to act promptly, and you must have been current on rent (14 M.R.S. § 6021(3)). A court can order repairs and lower the rent owed back to the date the landlord was notified (14 M.R.S. § 6021(4)). For a dangerous condition costing under $500 or half a month's rent (whichever is greater), send written notice by certified mail; if not fixed in 14 days (sooner in an emergency), you may have it fixed professionally and deduct the cost (14 M.R.S. § 6026(2)). Repair-and-deduct does not apply in an owner-occupied building of 5 or fewer units (14 M.R.S. § 6026(8)). If heat is included, the heating system must be able to keep 68°F (14 M.R.S. § 6021(6)). Source: 14 M.R.S. §§ 6021, 6026.
6 months protected. Retaliation prohibited. 6 month protection period. Cannot evict for complaints. Source: 14 MRSA § 6001.
7 or 30 days' notice. A victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking may end the lease with 7 days' written notice (30 days for a lease of a year or more). Include documentation naming the perpetrator, such as a protection order, police report, or a statement from an advocate, health care provider or law enforcement officer. You are not liable for any unpaid rent under the lease. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6001.
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Strong protections. Source: 14 MRSA § 6014.
Maine tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Maine law.
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