Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Maine

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Maine, mainly from the Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, chapters 709 and 710 (Forcible Entry and Detainer, Rental Property). Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

2 months' rent114 M.R.S. 6032

A lease or tenancy at will may not require a security deposit of more than two months' rent.

Deposit return deadline

30 days (21 days for tenancies at will)214 M.R.S. 6033

Under a written lease, the deposit must be returned within the time the lease sets, up to 30 days. For a tenancy at will, it is due within 21 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is later.

Interest on deposits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Late fees

Up to 4% of monthly rent, after 15 days314 M.R.S. 6028

Rent is late only if not paid within 15 days of the due date, and a late fee may not be more than 4% of one month's rent. The landlord must have told the tenant about the fee in writing when the rental agreement was made.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days414 M.R.S. 6002(1)

Either side must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a tenancy at will, which includes most month-to-month rentals.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days414 M.R.S. 6002(1)

Either side must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a tenancy at will, which includes most month-to-month rentals.

Notice of a rent increase

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Statewide rent limits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Landlord entry

24 hours (presumed reasonable)514 M.R.S. 6025(2)

The landlord must give reasonable notice before entering, and 24 hours is presumed reasonable. Emergencies and cases where notice is impracticable are exceptions.

Notice for unpaid rent

7 days, once rent is 7 days late414 M.R.S. 6002(1)(C)

If rent is seven days or more overdue, a tenancy at will can be ended with seven days' written notice.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. 14 M.R.S. 6032, Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutesofficial
  2. 14 M.R.S. 6033, Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutesofficial
  3. 14 M.R.S. 6028, Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutesofficial
  4. 14 M.R.S. 6002, Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutesofficial
  5. 14 M.R.S. 6025, Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutesofficial

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.