Maine Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Maine, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Maine. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Maine |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, Chapters 709, 710 and 710-A, with the 2026 changes in P.L. 2025, chapters 515 and 767 set no county or population limit on where they apply. The security-deposit chapter (Chapter 710-A) does not apply to a unit in a building of no more than 5 units, one of which the landlord occupies. Its provisions that conflict with a mortgage guaranteed by the United States do not apply to deposits held by a landlord who is the borrower on that mortgage. 14 M.R.S. § 6037 |
| Security deposit limit | No more than 2 months' rent. When a lease or tenancy at will begins, a tenant may not be required to pay more than the first full month's rent, the security deposit and any properly disclosed mandatory recurring fee. The security-deposit chapter (Chapter 710-A) does not apply to a unit in a building of no more than 5 units, one of which the landlord occupies. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6032, 6022-A, 6037(2) |
| Where deposits are held | During the tenancy, a deposit may not be mixed with the landlord's own assets and must be held in an account at a bank or other financial institution, beyond the claim of the landlord's creditors (including a foreclosing mortgagee or a trustee in bankruptcy). On a tenant's request, the landlord must disclose the name of the institution and the account number; one escrow account may hold all tenants' deposits. 14 M.R.S. § 6038(1) |
| Returning the deposit | The full deposit, or a written statement itemizing the reasons for keeping any part of it together with the balance, is due within the time stated in a written rental agreement (not more than 30 days), or for a tenancy at will within 21 days after the tenancy ends or the premises are surrendered and accepted, whichever is later. Mailing the statement and payment to the tenant's last known address complies. A landlord who misses the deadline forfeits the right to keep any part of the deposit. 14 M.R.S. § 6033(2), (3) |
| Deposit deductions | No part of the deposit may be kept for normal wear and tear. Reasons a landlord may keep deposit money include, but are not limited to, the costs of storing and disposing of unclaimed property, unpaid rent, and unpaid utility charges the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord. 14 M.R.S. § 6033(1), (2) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required by Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, Chapters 709, 710 and 710-A, with the 2026 changes in P.L. 2025, chapters 515 and 767. 14 M.R.S. ch. 709, 710 and 710-A; P.L. 2025, c. 515 and c. 767 (no provision) |
| Landlord entry notice | Except in an emergency or where it is impracticable, the landlord must give reasonable notice and enter only at reasonable times; 24 hours is presumed reasonable unless there is evidence otherwise. An emergency in which an animal's welfare is at risk allows entry without 24 hours' notice. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, make repairs or improvements, supply services or show the unit. A tenant's agreement to waive these rights is void. 14 M.R.S. § 6025(1), (2), (4) |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Maine's statute speaks of tenancies at will: either party ends one with at least 30 days' written notice. A 7-day written notice is allowed instead in the cases the statute lists, such as rent 7 days or more in arrears. If the tenant has paid rent through the date a 30-day notice would expire, the notice must expire on or after the date through which rent has been paid. The notice must tell the tenant of the right to contest the termination in court. 14 M.R.S. § 6002 |
| Rent-increase notice | At least 45 days' written notice before rent or a mandatory recurring fee goes up; a waiver is void. At least 75 days' written notice for a rent increase of 10% or more, including increases within 12 months that add up to 10% or more. The 75-day rule does not apply to housing kept affordable by a recorded document or deed, or restricted as a condition of the landlord's or the tenant's subsidies or participation in a municipal, state or federal housing program. 14 M.R.S. § 6015 |
| Late fees | For a late penalty, a rent payment is late if it is not made within 15 days of its due date. A late penalty may not exceed 4% of the amount due for one month. No penalty may be charged unless the tenant was told in writing, when the rental agreement was made, that a penalty of up to 4% of one month's rent may be charged. 14 M.R.S. § 6028 |
| Notice for unpaid rent | When rent is 7 days or more in arrears, the tenancy may be ended with 7 days' written notice. The notice must state the amount of rent 7 days or more in arrears. Paying the full rent due before the notice expires voids it; in a residential tenancy at will, paying all arrears, the rent due and the landlord's filing and service fees before the writ of possession issues reinstates the tenancy. 14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(C), (2)(A) |
| Rent control | No limit on the amount of rent or of a rent increase in Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, Chapters 709, 710 and 710-A, with the 2026 changes in P.L. 2025, chapters 515 and 767. Rent may not be raised while the unit violates the warranty of habitability, unless the violation was caused by the tenant or the tenant's family, guests or invitees. 14 M.R.S. § 6016; 14 M.R.S. ch. 709, 710 and 710-A; P.L. 2025, c. 515 and c. 767 (no provision) |
| Required landlord disclosures | Before a lease or tenancy at will, a written disclosure of the total rent, any mandatory or optional recurring fee, any utility service costs and any other cost the tenant must pay, signed by both parties; it is not required if the tenant pays no mandatory or optional recurring fee. To a prospective tenant who will pay for an energy supply, a residential energy efficiency disclosure statement, signed by the tenant and the landlord before the tenant signs a contract or pays a deposit; alternatively, the application may name each past energy supplier with a statement of the tenant's right to a 12-month history of consumption and cost from the supplier. Written radon notice (date and results of the most recent test, whether mitigation was done, the tenant's right to test and the risk of radon) before a tenant enters a lease or pays a deposit, and to existing tenants within 30 days of new results. Written notice of the smoking policy (prohibited, allowed, or allowed in identified areas), with the tenant's written acknowledgment before a contract or deposit. Before renting, whether an adjacent unit is currently infested with or being treated for bedbugs. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6021-A(2)(D), 6030-C, 6030-D(2), 6030-E, 6030-J Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race or color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status, and having sought and received a protection order. A landlord also may not refuse to rent to, or set different terms for, a person primarily because the person receives federal, state or local public assistance, including medical assistance and housing subsidies. Apart from the advertising rule and the rules for brokers and lenders, the law does not apply to renting one unit of a 2-family dwelling whose other unit the owner occupies, or up to 4 rooms of an owner-occupied one-family dwelling. Sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, a protection order and receipt of public assistance appear in Maine's law but not in the federal list. 5 M.R.S. §§ 4581-A(1)(B), (4), 4581(4); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Maine listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maine?
No more than 2 months' rent. When a lease or tenancy at will begins, a tenant may not be required to pay more than the first full month's rent, the security deposit and any properly disclosed mandatory recurring fee. The security-deposit chapter (Chapter 710-A) does not apply to a unit in a building of no more than 5 units, one of which the landlord occupies. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Maine landlord have to return a security deposit?
The full deposit, or a written statement itemizing the reasons for keeping any part of it together with the balance, is due within the time stated in a written rental agreement (not more than 30 days), or for a tenancy at will within 21 days after the tenancy ends or the premises are surrendered and accepted, whichever is later. Mailing the statement and payment to the tenant's last known address complies. A landlord who misses the deadline forfeits the right to keep any part of the deposit. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Maine landlord give before entering?
Except in an emergency or where it is impracticable, the landlord must give reasonable notice and enter only at reasonable times; 24 hours is presumed reasonable unless there is evidence otherwise. An emergency in which an animal's welfare is at risk allows entry without 24 hours' notice. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, make repairs or improvements, supply services or show the unit. A tenant's agreement to waive these rights is void. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Maine?
Maine's statute speaks of tenancies at will: either party ends one with at least 30 days' written notice. A 7-day written notice is allowed instead in the cases the statute lists, such as rent 7 days or more in arrears. If the tenant has paid rent through the date a 30-day notice would expire, the notice must expire on or after the date through which rent has been paid. The notice must tell the tenant of the right to contest the termination in court. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Maine?
At least 45 days' written notice before rent or a mandatory recurring fee goes up; a waiver is void. At least 75 days' written notice for a rent increase of 10% or more, including increases within 12 months that add up to 10% or more. The 75-day rule does not apply to housing kept affordable by a recorded document or deed, or restricted as a condition of the landlord's or the tenant's subsidies or participation in a municipal, state or federal housing program. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Maine landlord charge for late rent?
For a late penalty, a rent payment is late if it is not made within 15 days of its due date. A late penalty may not exceed 4% of the amount due for one month. No penalty may be charged unless the tenant was told in writing, when the rental agreement was made, that a penalty of up to 4% of one month's rent may be charged. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Maine landlord give when rent is unpaid?
When rent is 7 days or more in arrears, the tenancy may be ended with 7 days' written notice. The notice must state the amount of rent 7 days or more in arrears. Paying the full rent due before the notice expires voids it; in a residential tenancy at will, paying all arrears, the rent due and the landlord's filing and service fees before the writ of possession issues reinstates the tenancy. See the source in the table above.
Does Maine have rent control?
No limit on the amount of rent or of a rent increase in Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, Chapters 709, 710 and 710-A, with the 2026 changes in P.L. 2025, chapters 515 and 767. Rent may not be raised while the unit violates the warranty of habitability, unless the violation was caused by the tenant or the tenant's family, guests or invitees. See the source in the table above.
Rentals in Maine listed by owners
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