How much notice does a landlord have to give before eviction in Maine?

Maine sets specific notice periods that depend on the reason for eviction: non-payment of rent, lease term breach, or end of lease term. Notice must generally be in writing and served correctly to be valid. The eviction section above details the required notice for each case in Maine; in most situations, a landlord must go through the courts before removing a tenant, changing the locks, or shutting off utilities, but state-by-state exceptions can apply (e.g., abandonment statutes), so review the state guide below before acting.

What habitability standards must landlords meet in Maine?

Under Maine law, landlords are generally responsible for keeping the unit safe and livable: working heat, hot water, plumbing, electrical, locks, and a structurally sound building. If you report a serious habitability problem in writing and the landlord fails to fix it within a reasonable time, many states let you pursue remedies like repair-and-deduct, rent withholding, or lease termination, but the available remedies and the procedures to use them vary by state, and a few states do not recognize all of them. See the habitability section above for the procedures that apply in Maine.

State Reference Guide · Northeast

Maine
Tenant Rights.

This guide provides a detailed overview of the rights and responsibilities of tenants in the State of Maine. Maine law provides several protections that exceed federal minimums, particularly regarding security deposits, habitability, and mandatory disclosures.

Disclaimer: Information provided is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Security Deposit Limit

2 Months

of rent

Return Deadline

21 Days

at-will / 30 days, lease

Notice to Enter

24 Hours

Late Fee Grace Period

15 Days

What rights do tenants have in Maine?

Tenants in Maine are protected by state law that governs security deposit limits, the notice a landlord must give before eviction, basic habitability standards (heat, water, electrical, locks), and the deadline for returning your deposit after move-out. Local cities in Maine sometimes add stronger protections on top of these state-wide rules.

MONEY

Security Deposits

Maine law strictly regulates how much a landlord can charge and when the money must be returned.

Maximum Amount

A landlord cannot charge more than two months’ rent for a security deposit. (14 MRS § 6032)

Return Deadline

Tenancy at Will (No written lease): The landlord must return the deposit within 21 days of the tenant moving out.Written Lease: The landlord must return the deposit within the timeframe stated in the lease, but it cannot exceed 30 days. (14 MRS § 6033)

Itemization

If the landlord keeps any part of the deposit for damages (beyond normal wear and tear), they must provide a written, itemized list of the costs.

Penalties for Wrongful Retention

If a landlord "willfully" fails to return the deposit or provide an itemization, they may be liable for double the amount of the security deposit, plus the tenant's attorney fees and court costs. (14 MRS § 6034)

NOTICE

Eviction Notices

In Maine, a landlord must follow a specific legal process to evict a tenant. They cannot simply change the locks or shut off utilities.

Nonpayment of Rent

If rent is 7 days late, the landlord can issue a 7-day notice to pay or quit. If the tenant pays within those 7 days, the eviction process must stop. (14 MRS § 6002)

Lease Violation

For serious lease violations (such as causing damage or being a nuisance), a landlord can issue a 7-day notice to quit.

No-Fault Eviction (Tenancy at Will)

If there is no written lease, either party can end the tenancy with a 30-day written notice.

Mandatory Language

Every eviction notice must include a specific statement informing the tenant that they have the right to a court hearing to contest the eviction.

NOTICE

Landlord Entry and Privacy

Maine law protects a tenant's right to "quiet enjoyment" and privacy.

Notice Period

Except in an emergency, a landlord must give at least 24 hours' notice before entering your home. (14 MRS § 6025)

Reasonable Time

Entry must be at a reasonable time (usually during daylight hours) and for a legitimate reason, such as repairs, inspections, or showing the unit to potential buyers/tenants.

Emergency Exception

A landlord may enter without notice only if there is a bona fide emergency (e.g., a bursting pipe or fire).

MONEY

Rent Control and Late Fees

Rent Control Status

There is no statewide rent control in Maine. However, the state does not preempt (prevent) cities from creating their own. Currently, cities like Portland and South Portland have local rent control ordinances.

Late Fees

A late fee can only be charged if it is written in the lease. By law, the fee cannot exceed 4% of the monthly rent and cannot be charged until the rent is at least 15 days late. (14 MRS § 6028)

SAFETY

Habitability and Repairs

Maine law implies a "Warranty of Habitability" in every rental agreement, meaning the unit must be fit for human habitation.

The 68-Degree Rule

Landlords must ensure that any unit where the cost of heat is included in the rent can maintain a temperature of at least 68°F when the outside temperature is at or below zero. (14 MRS § 6021)

Repair and Deduct

If a landlord fails to fix a condition that affects health or safety (like a broken heater or plumbing), a tenant may: - Provide written notice of the issue.If not fixed within 14 days, the tenant may pay for the repair.Deduct the cost from the rent, up to $500 or half the monthly rent, whichever is greater. (14 MRS § 6026)

LEASE

Mandatory Disclosures (Unique to Maine)

Maine requires landlords to provide several specific disclosures before a tenant signs a lease or moves in:

Radon

Landlords must test for radon every 10 years and provide a "Radon Disclosure Form" showing the results of the most recent test. (14 MRS § 6030-D)

Bedbugs

Landlords must disclose if any adjacent units or the unit being rented are currently infested with or being treated for bedbugs. (14 MRS § 6021-A)

Energy Efficiency

Tenants have the right to see the energy consumption/cost history for the unit for the past 12 months. (14 MRS § 6030-C)

Smoking Policy

Landlords must provide a written notice stating whether smoking is prohibited, limited to certain areas, or allowed throughout the entire premises. (14 MRS § 6030-E)

SAFETY

Retaliation Protections

It is illegal for a landlord to punish a tenant for exercising their legal rights.

Protected Activities

These include complaining to a code enforcement officer, joining a tenants' union, or requesting a repair.

Presumption of Retaliation

If a landlord tries to evict a tenant or increase rent within 6 months of the tenant performing a protected activity, the law presumes the landlord is retaliating. The landlord would have to prove in court that they had a different, valid reason for the action. (14 MRS § 6001)

Summary

Quick reference table.

Topic	Maine Law Requirement	Statute
Security Deposit Limit	2 Months' Rent	14 MRS § 6032
Return Deadline	21 Days (At-Will) / 30 Days (Lease)	14 MRS § 6033
Notice to Enter	24 Hours	14 MRS § 6025
Late Fee Grace Period	15 Days	14 MRS § 6028
Late Fee Maximum	4% of Rent	14 MRS § 6028
Repair & Deduct Limit	$500 or 1/2 Month's Rent	14 MRS § 6026
Heat Requirement	68°F (if landlord pays heat)	14 MRS § 6021

Unique To Maine

Protections you won't find everywhere else.

Summary Table: Maine Tenant Rights

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. For legal advice regarding a specific situation, contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance (Maine’s legal aid) or a licensed attorney.

Cities with local protections

These Maine cities layer extra tenant protections on top of state law: Bangor, Cape Elizabeth, Orono, Portland, South Portland.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Security deposit limits in Maine are set by state law and typically apply per lease, not per tenant. The exact cap, allowed deductions, and the deadline for returning the deposit are defined in the Maine statutes section above; deadlines vary by state, so check that section for the specific rule that applies to your lease. Always document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out so you can dispute improper deductions.

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