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Maine · ME

Maine Landlord-Tenant Laws 2026

Security deposit limits, eviction notice requirements, rent increase rules, and every compliance deadline for Maine landlords. 23 cities covered.

Based on Maine state statutes. Updated August 2026.

Maine Landlord Law Summary

In Maine, landlords must return security deposits within 30 days, provide 7-day eviction notice for nonpayment, and do not cap rent increases. No just cause eviction requirement.

Maine Landlord Rules at a Glance

Key compliance requirements every Maine landlord must follow.

Rule Requirement
Security Deposit Cap 2 months’ rent
Deposit Return Deadline 30 days (or 21 days if tenancy lasted less than 1 year)
Eviction Notice (Nonpayment) 7 days written notice
Rent Cap No statewide cap
Entry Notice 24 hours notice
Late Fee Cap 4% of monthly rent
Grace Period 15 days
Just Cause Eviction Not required

What Happens If You Violate Maine Landlord-Tenant Law

Security deposit violation: Tenant may recover up to 2x the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney fees.

  • Late deposit return: Miss the 30-day deadline and tenants can sue for up to 2x the withheld amount.
  • Improper eviction notice: Wrong notice period or procedure = case dismissed. You restart from zero and owe additional court costs.
  • Illegal entry: Entering without 24-hour notice = harassment claim. Tenants can terminate the lease and sue for damages.
  • Fair housing violation: First offense: $16,000+ federal fine. Repeat: $65,000+. Plus actual damages, attorney fees, and potential criminal penalties.

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Maine Landlord-Tenant Statutes

The laws that govern residential rentals in Maine.

Maine Landlord-Tenant Law

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §6000 et seq.

Governs residential tenancies including security deposits, habitability, eviction, and tenant protections.

Maine Landlord Law Topics

Explore detailed rules by topic for any Maine city.

Security Deposit Laws

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Eviction Process & Notice Requirements

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Rent Increase Laws

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Landlord Entry & Access Rules

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Maintenance & Habitability Standards

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Late Fee Limits

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Lease Termination & Renewal

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Fair Housing Protections

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Tenant Screening Rules

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Required Landlord Disclosures

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Rent Control

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Property Registration Requirements

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Top 10 Maine Cities — Landlord Law Coverage

The largest Maine cities by population, with median rent and deposit cap data.

City Population Median 2BR Rent Max Deposit
Portland 69,104 $1,833/mo $3,666
Lewiston 38,404 $1,586/mo $3,172
Bangor 31,628 $1,392/mo $2,784
South Portland 26,840 $1,833/mo $3,666
Auburn 24,793 $1,586/mo $3,172
Biddeford 22,367 $1,716/mo $3,432
Sanford 22,251 $1,716/mo $3,432
Saco 20,960 $1,716/mo $3,432
Westbrook 20,564 $1,833/mo $3,666
Augusta 19,102 $1,416/mo $2,832

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Deposit deadlines, notice requirements, required disclosures — everything in one page.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Maine Landlord Laws

Maine limits security deposits to 2 months’ rent. The deposit must be returned within 30 days (or 21 days if the tenancy was less than one year).
Yes. Maine caps late fees at 4% of monthly rent and requires a 15-day grace period before any late fee can be charged. This is one of the most tenant-protective late fee rules in the country.
Not statewide. Portland enacted a local rent cap for certain buildings. A statewide proposal (LD 1670) has been discussed but not enacted as of 2026.

Compliance tracking for your Maine properties

LeaseBase monitors Maine landlord-tenant law changes, tracks deadlines, and alerts you before penalties apply — across every city in your portfolio.

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How we researched this page: This guide covers all Maine landlord-tenant statutes, verified against official government sources. Rent data comes from HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026). Last updated: August 2026.
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Reviewed by Rachid Abadli

Founder & CEO, LeaseBase · Sacramento landlord · Self-managing since 2019

LeaseBase is a property management platform — not a law firm. Consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.