Maine Landlord Tenant Laws [2025]

Maine Landlord Laws

Compared to many states, Maine is considered moderately tenant-friendly, with several laws in place to protect renters. From required disclosures to restrictions on late fees and security deposits, Maine landlord laws are transparent and maintain habitability. However, landlords can still operate profitable rental businesses in the state, as long as they stay informed on the laws and follow the best legal practices.

Landlords in Maine must comply with rental laws at the federal, state, and local levels. These laws govern everything from lease terms and rent collection to tenant rights, security deposits, and eviction procedures. Before enforcing your own rental policies, it’s important to understand Maine landlord-tenant law and how it affects your rights and responsibilities.

You can find Maine landlord laws in the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (MRSA), but note that this article is not exhaustive. Rental laws may change, and cities like Portland may impose additional requirements. If you’re unsure about your legal obligations or are dealing with a dispute, seek guidance from an experienced real estate attorney in Maine.

Disclaimer: Innago does not provide legal advice. The content and materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and many not be the most up-to-date information.

Maine Quick Facts

NEW! 2025 Maine Rental Laws

• Limits on Rental Fees and Disclosure Requirements (Public Law Chapter 594, HP 945 - LD 1490): Starting January 1, 2025, Maine landlords may only charge first month’s rent, a security deposit (up to two months’ rent), and clearly disclosed recurring fees at lease signing. They must provide a signed total price disclosure listing all tenant costs. Rent increases of 10% or more require 75 days’ notice; all other increases require 45 days. Landlords may only charge screening fees at actual cost and must provide a copy of any report used. Optional fees must be opt-in and cannot affect tenancy.

Rights and Responsibilities of Maine Landlords and Tenants

Maine landlords and tenants each have specific rights and responsibilities under state law. For example, landlords must provide safe, habitable housing that meets health and safety standards, and tenants must pay rent on time and take care of the property. In return, landlords have the right to collect rent and maintain control over their property, while tenants have the right to privacy, repairs, and protection from unfair treatment. Although lease agreements outline many of these terms, all provisions must comply with Maine law to be enforceable.

Below is a summary of the key rights and responsibilities for both landlords and tenants in Maine.

Maine landlords have the right to:

• Collect rent as outlined in the lease agreement.
• Charge a security deposit up to two months’ rent and deduct for unpaid rent, utility costs, or excessive damage.
• Screen all tenants, including conducting background or credit checks (at cost, with disclosure).
• Enter the unit with at least 24 hours’ notice for repairs, inspections, or showings.
• Set reasonable lease terms, including rules for smoking, pets, and common areas.
• Begin eviction proceedings for nonpayment, lease violations, or illegal activity.
• Enforce all lease terms, as long as they comply with Maine law.

Maine landlords are responsible for:

• Keeping rental units in a safe condition that is habitable as required by state health and housing codes, such as installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Making necessary repairs after receiving notice, especially when they affect health or safety.
• Providing written disclosures on radon, smoking policy, utility responsibilities, and all tenant fees.
• Holding security deposits in a separate account and returning them within 30 days of lease termination with an itemized list of deductions.
• Following fair housing laws and avoiding discrimination based on protected characteristics.
• Providing proper notice before raising rent or fees.
• Giving tenants a written total price disclosure before lease signing.

Maine tenants have the right to:

• Live in a habitable unit with functional utilities and no serious health or safety issues.
• Request and receive repairs in a reasonable timeframe.
• Be informed of all rental costs, fees, and responsibilities before signing a lease.
• Receive written notice before rent increases, landlord entry, or changes to lease terms.
• Be protected from retaliation for reporting unsafe conditions or exercising legal rights.
• Withhold rent or repair and deduct under specific conditions if the landlord fails to address serious issues.
• Privacy and quiet enjoyment of the unit.

Maine tenants are responsible for:

• Paying rent on time and covering agreed-upon utilities and fees.
• Reporting maintenance issues promptly and allowing reasonable access for repairs.
• Keeping the unit clean, safe, and in good condition.
• Following all lease rules, including those about smoking, pets, and guests.
• Avoiding damage or illegal activity on the premises.
• Providing proper notice before moving out or ending a tenancy.
• Utilize the property solely for legal residential purposes, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Maine Required Disclosures

Required disclosures are pieces of information that Maine landlords must share with tenants before signing a lease. These disclosures typically relate to safety hazards, utility responsibilities, or the landlord’s rules and policies.

Below are some of the most important required disclosures for rental properties in Maine.

• Lead-based paint (Title X, Section 1018). Landlords in all 50 states must include information about lead-based paint hazards in the rental agreements for most properties built before 1978. Sellers and landlords must distribute an EPA-approved information pamphlet called “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home” and disclose any known lead hazards in the property. These obligations were established by Section 1018 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.
• Energy Efficiency Disclosure (MRSA § 6030-C(1), 6045). Landlords in Maine should provide a residential energy efficiency disclosure statement to potential tenants who will pay for an energy supply for the unit. This disclosure includes, but is not limited to, information about the energy consumption and utility costs for the prior 12-month period. Alternatively, the landlord may include in the rental agreement the following statement: “You have the right to obtain a 12-month history of energy consumption and the cost of that consumption from the energy supplier.” Tenants also have the right to request natural gas pipeline utility costs for the prior 12-month period, or the figures representing the highest and lowest natural gas energy consumption for that time period (MRSA § 6046).
• Radon Testing (MRSA § 6030-D(2)). When the landlord receives the results of a radon test, they must send a written notice of such to current and prospective tenants within 30 days of receiving them. The notice should concern the presence of radon in the building, whether any mitigation has been performed to reduce radon levels, and any risks associated with radon. The notice should also remind tenants that they have the right to conduct their own radon test.
• Smoking Policy (MRSA § 6030-E(2-3)). According to Maine renting laws, landlords must provide current and prospective tenants with a smoking policy disclosure that notifies tenants of the landlord’s policy regarding smoking on the premises. The notice should be in writing, and it must state whether smoking is prohibited on the premises, allowed on the entire premises, or allowed in limited areas (specify these). Such a notice may be disclosed in a written rental agreement or a separate written notice. After providing the notice, landlords should obtain a written acknowledgement that the tenant received the notification.
• Bedbugs (MRSA § 6021-A(D)). Before renting out any property, landlords must disclose to prospective tenants if an adjacent unit(s) are currently infested with or being treated for bedbugs. Upon request, the landlord must also disclose the last date that the unit was inspected for a bedbug infestation and found to be free of bedbugs.
• Common Area Electricity (MRSA § 6024). If a tenant is responsible for covering the expenses for heat, electricity, or another utility to the common areas (areas not within the unit that is their sole responsibility), the landlord must disclose this in the written lease agreement and get the tenant’s agreement to cover these costs in exchange for a rent reduction or another specified fair consideration.
• Security Deposit Location (MRSA § 6037(2), 6038). Upon request by a tenant, landlords must disclose the name of the institution and the account number where the security deposit is being held. This requirement does not apply to a unit that is part of a structure containing five or fewer dwelling units, if the landlord occupies one of them.

Additional Reading: Maine Residential Lease Agreement

Maine Rent and Fee Laws

Although Maine does not have statewide rent control, the state still enforces many important laws related to rent payments, fees, and tenant remedies. For example, landlords must allow a 15-day grace period before charging late fees, and rent increases must follow habitability standards. Below are the most important rent and fee laws that landlords in Maine should know.

Rent Payments

• Due Date: There is no statute in Maine specifying when rent should be due. However, it is typically due on the first of the month.
• Rent Increases: There is no statewide rent control in Maine. However, certain cities and localities in Maine (including Portland, Maine) have rent control ordinances. Additionally, rent may not be increased if the dwelling unit is in violation of the implied warranty of habitability (MRSA § 6016).
• Grace Period: 15 days (MRSA § 6028(1)).

Fees

• Application Fees: Rental application fees are not regulated in Maine.
• Late Fees: 4% of the amount due. To charge a penalty for late rent, the landlord must give the tenant a written notice that they may be charged for late payments at the time they entered into the rental agreement (MRSA § 6028(2-3)).
• NSF/Bounced Check Fee Maximum: If the tenant’s rent check bounces, the landlord may charge the tenant up to 12% per annum from the payment date, plus court and processing expenses (MRSA § 6071).

Tenant Remedies

• Withholding Rent/Repair and Deduct: If the landlord fails to make a necessary repair of a condition that endangers health and safety, and the cost of compliance is less than $500 or ½ the monthly rent (whichever is greater), the tenant may send the landlord a written notice of the condition and state their intention to correct it at the landlord’s expense. If the landlord has not made the repair after 14 days, the tenant may arrange for the repair and deduct the fair and reasonable cost from the rent. The tenant must also send the landlord an itemized statement of the expense (MRSA § 6026).

Maine Security Deposit Laws

Maine law places clear restrictions on how landlords can collect, store, and return security deposits. These rules help protect tenants from unfair charges while ensuring landlords can recover certain costs. Below are the main security deposit laws that Maine landlords must follow.

• Deposit Limit: 2 months’ rent (MRSA § 6032(1)).
• Interest: Landlords in Maine are not required to pay interest on security deposits.
• Return Within: 30 days (MRSA § 6033(2)(A)).
• Deposit Location: Landlords are required to keep security deposits in a separate bank account or other financial institution, not commingled with other assets and beyond the claim of the landlord’s creditors or any other entity or person (MRSA § 6038(1)).
• Withholding: Landlords may withhold funds from the security deposit for unpaid rent or utility charges and the cost of storing or disposing of unclaimed property. The landlord may not withhold funds for ordinary wear and tear of the property and must provide the tenant with a written statement itemizing the reasons for the withholdings (MRSA § 6033(2)).

Maine Tenant Screening and Fair Housing Protections

What actions are considered housing discrimination?

Tenants in Maine are protected by both federal and state fair housing laws. Under the Federal Fair Housing Act (Title 24 USC § 3601-3607), it is illegal for landlords to discriminate in any aspect of housing based on protected characteristics. Discrimination can occur at many points in the rental process, including:

• Accepting or denying tenant applications
• Advertising and marketing rental units
• Choosing screening methods or applying criteria inconsistently
• Determining rent prices or applying discounts
• Performing maintenance or responding to service requests
• Issuing eviction notices or refusing to renew leases
• Communicating in a way that deters applicants
• etc.

What are the protected classes in Maine?

In addition to the seven federally protected classes—race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability—Maine law adds even more. Landlords in Maine may not discriminate based on:

• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Ancestry
• Pregnancy

These expanded protections under MRSA § 4581-A mean that Maine landlords must treat all applicants fairly and consistently throughout the leasing process.

Use of Credit Reports

Maine landlords are subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (15 USC § 1681), which outlines the responsibilities of landlords to protect tenant credit information. According to the Act, landlords may not share tenant credit information with anyone without a legal reason to view it. They must also investigate disputed information, dispose of credit reports after use in tenant screening, and notify applicants when their credit score or history was the reason for their denial.

Use of Criminal Histories

Criminal background checks may be used during tenant screening in Maine. Maine landlords should follow HUD recommendations for using criminal background checks fairly. This includes avoiding blanket policies for denying applicants with criminal convictions, assessing applicants and their criminal histories on a case-by-case basis, and only denying an applicant when they demonstrate a risk to the safety of other residents or the property.

Additional Reading: Maine Background Checks & Screening Online

Maine Landlord Entry Laws

Maine law gives tenants the right to privacy while allowing landlords to access the rental unit for valid reasons. To balance these interests, the state requires landlords to follow specific rules regarding notice and timing of entry. Below are the most important landlord entry laws in Maine.

• Advanced Notice: 24 hours’ (MRSA § 6025(2)).
• Permitted Times: Landlords in Maine may only enter at reasonable times. Acceptable reasons for entering include inspections, repairs, decorations, alterations, improvements, services, or showings (MRSA § 6025(1-2)).
• Emergency Entry: In case of emergency, the landlord may enter without advanced notice (MRSA § 6025(2)).

Maine Eviction Notices

Evictions are complex legal processes often poorly understood by both parties. Before pursuing eviction in Maine, consider hiring an experienced real estate attorney and be sure to review the Maine eviction process in more detail.

If you pursue eviction in Maine, the first step is to serve the tenant with a formal, written notice. Maine recognizes several types of eviction notices, each tied to a specific reason for ending the tenancy:

• Rent Demand Notice: 7 days to pay or quit (MRSA § 6002(1)).
• Notice for Lease Violation: 7 days to cure or quit. According to Maine eviction laws, this notice applies when the tenant is violating lease agreement terms. For example, the tenant may have caused substantial damage to the premises, created a nuisance, allowed an unauthorized occupant to live in the unit, or failed to fulfill their obligations as per the law (MRSA § 6002(1)).
• Unconditional Notice to Quit: 7 days to quit. This notice applies when the tenant engages in illegal activity on the premises, including perpetrating domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, violence, or threat of violence to another tenant or person on the premises. The landlord is not required to provide the tenant an opportunity to cure the violation (MRSA § 6002(1)).

Additional Reading: Maine Eviction Process and Laws [2025]

Maine Squatter’s Rights

Squatters occupy a property without the owner’s permission. In Maine, landlords must follow the formal eviction process to remove squatters. The state does not allow self-help measures like changing the locks, shutting off utilities, or using force to remove unauthorized occupants regardless of whether the person ever had a lease.

To remove a squatter legally, landlords must serve a proper notice and file for eviction through the court. If the squatter refuses to leave, the landlord must obtain a court order and coordinate with law enforcement to regain possession of the property.

Maine law treats squatting as a civil matter, not a criminal one, unless the individual commits trespassing after being ordered to leave. Landlords should never attempt to remove squatters on their own. Always follow the legal process and consult a real estate attorney if needed.

Additional Reading: Maine Squatter's Rights & Adverse Possession Laws [2025]

Other Laws and Facts About Maine

• The current average rent rate in Maine is $1,895 per month, according to Zillow.
• The average rent rate in Augusta is $1,700 per month, according to Zillow.
• The landlord in Maine may take action against a tenant who owns a dangerous pet on the premises. If the landlord, an employee, or a tenant has experienced harm or been threatened by the presence of a tenant or a dangerous pet, the landlord may file a petition in their own name or on behalf of an aggrieved tenant (MRSA § 6030-A(1)).

Conclusion

Maine offers a balanced framework for both landlords and tenants, ensuring protection and transparency through clear rental laws. This tenant-friendly environment supports stable and habitable living conditions while allowing landlords to run profitable businesses. Staying informed about state laws and adhering to best practices is crucial for landlords in Maine. As always, consulting a real estate attorney for any legal uncertainties can help navigate this complex landscape effectively

FAQs

Free Downloads

1. Maine Residential Lease Agreement Template
2. Maine Quitclaim Deed
3. Maine Security Deposit Receipt
4. Maine 7-Day Notice to Quit Form
5. Maine Rental Property Inspection Checklist
6. Maine Property Disclosure Statement Form

Resources

1. Maine Consumer Rights When You Rent An Apartment
2. Maine Eviction Forms and Court Procedures
3. Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (MRSA), Title 14 – Property
4. Maine Eviction Process & Laws [2025]
5. Maine Housing Market Trends & Forecast
6. Real Estate Terms & Definitions