Landlord-tenant law

Maine Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Maine.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
2 months' rent (1 month's rent for tenants age 60 or older)
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6032
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
30 days (with deductions itemized)
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6033
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
7-day notice to pay or quit
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002(1)
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days (landlord to tenant for month-to-month)
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002
¢
Late Fee Cap
4% of monthly rent
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028
⏱
Grace Period
15 days
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028
Maine specific notes

Maine has a 15-day grace period before any late fee can be charged — one of the most tenant-protective in the country on this metric. The 4% cap is also relatively low. Deposit must be held in a federally insured interest-bearing account or through a surety bond.

FAQ

Common Maine landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Maine?+
2 months' rent (1 month's rent for tenants age 60 or older). Governed by Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6032. Deposit must be returned within 30 days (with deductions itemized) after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Maine for non-payment of rent?+
7-day notice to pay or quit. Per Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002(1). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Maine?+
30 days (landlord to tenant for month-to-month). Per Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Maine?+
4% of monthly rent. Per Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028. Grace period: 15 days. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Maine

Compare

See how Maine stacks up

Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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