Maine Late Fee Law
Maine limits residential late fees by statute. Up to 4% of one month's rent; must be disclosed in writing at the start of the tenancy. State law requires a grace period of 15 days before a late fee can be charged.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Maine late fee law at a glance
| Late-fee cap | Up to 4% of one month's rent; must be disclosed in writing at the start of the tenancy14 M.R.S. § 6028(2)-(3) |
|---|---|
| Grace period | 15 days14 M.R.S. § 6028(1) |
| Notice before filing for unpaid rent | 7 days (7-day notice to quit for nonpayment (tenancy at will))14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)-(2) |
What Maine law says
Is there a limit on late fees in Maine?
A late fee may not exceed 4% of one month's rent and may be charged only if the tenant was told in writing at move-in that such a fee may apply (14 M.R.S. § 6028(2)-(3)).
Does Maine require a grace period before a late fee?
Rent is not legally late, and no late fee may be charged, until it is more than 15 days past due (14 M.R.S. § 6028(1)).
How much notice must a Maine landlord give for unpaid rent?
Once a tenant at will is 7 or more days behind on rent, the landlord may serve a written 7-day termination notice stating the ground and the statutory statements; paying the full rent due before the notice expires voids it (14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(C), (2)) (14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)-(2)).
How Maine compares
20 of 51 verified jurisdictions cap late fees by statute. 1 requires a longer grace period than 15 days.
None of Maine's 1 neighbors follows the same rule.
| Late-fee cap · grace period | States |
|---|---|
| Statutory formula · 15 days | Maine |
| No state cap · none | New Hampshire |
Local rules in Maine
Mobile home park tenancies follow separate deposit rules in 10 M.R.S. § 9098 (up to 3 months' rent, interest owed).
Other Maine rules
| Security deposit limit | 2 months' rent14 M.R.S. § 6032, 14 M.R.S. § 6037(2) (owner-occupied ≤5-unit exemption) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 21 days after move-out14 M.R.S. § 6033(2) |
| Entry notice | 24 hours' notice14 M.R.S. § 6025 |
| Rent-increase notice | 45 days (75 days' written notice when an increase, alone or combined with other increases in a 12-month period, totals 10% or more (not applicable to deed-restricted affordable or subsidized housing). The 45-day rule also covers increases in mandatory recurring fees)14 M.R.S. § 6015 |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days (either side)14 M.R.S. § 6002 |