How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maine?

Security deposit may not exceed two months' rent. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6032) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6033).

Is there a limit on late fees in Maine?

A late fee may not exceed 4% of the monthly rent and may not be charged until rent is 15 days overdue. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028)

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Maine?

Landlord must give at least 24 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6025)

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Maine?

Either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Maine?

Tenant has 7 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002) The case is filed as a forcible entry and detainer in District Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Maine?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Maine with the statutory citations printed in it.

Maine Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the State of Maine has to respect Maine landlord-tenant law: a security deposit capped at two months' rent, accounted for within 30 days of move-out, and late fees limited to 4% of the rent. Below is every number that governs a Maine tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

Maine rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a Maine lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

Maine landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	Maine	Citation
Security deposit limit	two months' rentSecurity deposit may not exceed two months' rent.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6032
Deposit return deadline	30 daysLandlord must return the deposit or an itemized statement within 30 days, or 21 days for a tenancy at will.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6033
Interest on deposits	Not requiredMaine does not require interest on security deposits.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6033
Late fee limit	4% of the rentA late fee may not exceed 4% of the monthly rent and may not be charged until rent is 15 days overdue.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028
Grace period before rent is late	15 daysRent carries a 15-day statutory grace period before a late fee may be charged.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028
Notice to pay or quit	7 daysTenant has 7 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002
Time to cure a lease violation	7 daysTenant generally has 7 days to remedy a curable lease violation.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	30 days' noticeEither party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002
Notice before landlord entry	24 hoursLandlord must give at least 24 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency.	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6025

Disclosures a Maine lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978
Energy Efficiency Disclosure
Landlord has provided Tenant with the state-required residential energy efficiency disclosure statement for the dwelling.
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 35-A, § 10117
Radon Disclosure
Landlord discloses the results of any radon testing performed on the dwelling and Tenant's right to conduct testing.
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6030-D
Bed Bug Disclosure
Landlord discloses whether the dwelling or any adjacent unit currently has or recently had a bed bug infestation.
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6021-A

If things go wrong in Maine

Where eviction is filed

District Court, as a forcible entry and detainer.

Governing law

Cited from the Maine Revised Statutes.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

Maine lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maine?: Security deposit may not exceed two months' rent. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6032) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6033).
Is there a limit on late fees in Maine?: A late fee may not exceed 4% of the monthly rent and may not be charged until rent is 15 days overdue. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028)
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Maine?: Landlord must give at least 24 hours' notice before entering, except in an emergency. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6025)
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Maine?: Either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Maine?: Tenant has 7 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002) The case is filed as a forcible entry and detainer in District Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Maine?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Maine with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a Maine lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the Maine lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes Maine law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed Maine attorney review your lease before you rely on it.