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    Maine Residential Lease Agreement

    Maine limits security deposits to 2 months' rent, and requires its return within 21 days after move-out.

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    Maine lease rules at a glance

    Key Maine rules for a residential lease, with the statute behind each
    RuleWhat the law says
    Security deposit cap2 months' rent14 M.R.S. § 6032, 14 M.R.S. § 6037(2) (owner-occupied ≤5-unit exemption)
    Deposit return deadline21 days after move-out14 M.R.S. § 6033(2)
    Late feesUp to 4% of one month's rent; must be disclosed in writing at the start of the tenancy · grace period: 15 days14 M.R.S. § 6028(2)-(3), 14 M.R.S. § 6028(1)
    Landlord entry notice24 hours' notice14 M.R.S. § 6025
    Ending a month-to-month lease30 days (either side)14 M.R.S. § 6002
    Rent increase notice45 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
    Rent controlNo statewide rent control14 M.R.S. ch. 710 (Rental Property; section list checked), 14 M.R.S. § 6002 (tenancy at will)
    Eviction notice for unpaid rent7 days (7-day notice to quit for nonpayment (tenancy at will))14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)-(2)

    Maine lease disclosures checklist

    Before a tenant signs or pays a deposit, give the residential energy efficiency disclosure statement (when the tenant pays for energy), written radon test results and notice, the smoking policy, a signed total price disclosure of all costs, any known bedbug infestation in adjacent units, and the federal lead-paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing (14 M.R.S. §§ 6030-C, 6030-D, 6030-E, 6030-J, 6021-A). (14 M.R.S. §§ 6021-A, 6030-C, 6030-D, 6030-E, 6030-J, 40 CFR 745.107)

    • Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet — Housing built before 1978 (unless exempt under 40 CFR 745.101)42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart F (§ 745.107)
    • Residential energy efficiency disclosure statement (Title 35-A § 10117 form), signed — Before the tenant signs or pays a deposit, when the tenant pays for an energy supply (or on request)14 M.R.S. § 6030-C
    • Written radon notice (DHHS form): date and results of the most recent test, whether mitigation was done, and the tenant's right to test — Before the tenant signs or pays a deposit, and within 30 days of new results for existing tenants14 M.R.S. § 6030-D(2)
    • Smoking policy disclosure (prohibited, allowed, or allowed in named areas) — To tenants and potential tenants of primary residences14 M.R.S. § 6030-E
    • Total price disclosure statement of rent, mandatory and optional recurring fees and utility costs, signed by both parties — Before entering a lease or tenancy at will14 M.R.S. § 6030-J
    • Disclosure that an adjacent unit is infested with or being treated for bedbugs (and, on request, the last bedbug-free inspection date) — Before renting a dwelling unit14 M.R.S. § 6021-A

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    Before you sign in Maine

    If a deposit is withheld wrongly
    A landlord who misses the deadline forfeits the right to withhold any part of the deposit, and wrongful retention makes the landlord liable for double the amount withheld plus attorney's fees and costs (14 M.R.S. §§ 6033(3), 6034). (14 M.R.S. § 6033(3), 14 M.R.S. § 6034, 14 M.R.S. § 6038(2))
    Deductions from the deposit
    A landlord who keeps any part of the deposit must give the tenant a written statement itemizing the reasons, together with the balance (14 M.R.S. § 6033(2)). (14 M.R.S. § 6033(2))
    Interest on the deposit
    Maine law does not require landlords to pay interest on apartment security deposits, though deposits must be held in a separate protected bank account (14 M.R.S. § 6038). (14 M.R.S. ch. 710-A (silent on interest); § 6038 (escrow requirement))
    Rent control and increases
    Maine has no statewide rent control and no statute in its landlord-tenant chapters that limits rents or bars local rent rules, so check for a municipal rent ordinance before raising rent (14 M.R.S. chs. 709-710 contain no rent-limit provision). (14 M.R.S. ch. 710 (Rental Property; section list checked), 14 M.R.S. § 6002 (tenancy at will))
    If rent goes unpaid
    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))

    Maine lease FAQs

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

    Landlords may not require a security deposit of more than two months' rent (14 M.R.S. § 6032).

    How long does a Maine landlord have to return a security deposit?

    Landlords must return the deposit or an itemized statement within 21 days after a tenancy at will ends or the unit is surrendered (whichever is later), or within the time stated in a written lease, which may not exceed 30 days (14 M.R.S. § 6033(2)).

    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)). 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 before entering a rental?

    Maine landlords must give reasonable notice before entering, with 24 hours presumed reasonable, and may enter only at reasonable times unless there is an emergency or notice is impracticable (14 M.R.S. § 6025(2)).

    How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Maine?

    Either party may end a Maine tenancy at will with at least 30 days' written notice, and a landlord's notice must tell the tenant of the right to contest the termination in court (14 M.R.S. § 6002).

    What disclosures does a Maine lease need?

    Before a tenant signs or pays a deposit, give the residential energy efficiency disclosure statement (when the tenant pays for energy), written radon test results and notice, the smoking policy, a signed total price disclosure of all costs, any known bedbug infestation in adjacent units, and the federal lead-paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing (14 M.R.S. §§ 6030-C, 6030-D, 6030-E, 6030-J, 6021-A) (14 M.R.S. §§ 6021-A, 6030-C, 6030-D, 6030-E, 6030-J). The list covers Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet, Residential energy efficiency disclosure statement (Title 35-A § 10117 form), signed, Written radon notice (DHHS form): date and results of the most recent test, whether mitigation was done, and the tenant's right to test, Smoking policy disclosure (prohibited, allowed, or allowed in named areas), Total price disclosure statement of rent, mandatory and optional recurring fees and utility costs, signed by both parties and Disclosure that an adjacent unit is infested with or being treated for bedbugs (and, on request, the last bedbug-free inspection date).

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