State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

Maine landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

Maine puts a number on late fees and on deposits, and it sets a written notice period for rent increases. Here is what Title 14 of the Maine Revised Statutes says, with the section for each rule.

Late fees in Maine

Limit

4% of the amount due for one month. 14 M.R.S. § 6028(2)

Grace period

15 days. A rent payment is late if it is not made within 15 days from the time it is due. 14 M.R.S. § 6028(1)

Other conditions

The landlord must give the tenant written notice of the penalty when the rental agreement is made. The notice must say that a penalty of up to 4% of one month's rent may be charged. 14 M.R.S. § 6028(3)

Security deposits in Maine

Maximum deposit

Two months' rent. 14 M.R.S. § 6032

Return deadline

With a written lease, within the time stated in the lease, which can't be more than 30 days. For a tenancy at will, within 21 days. For a tenancy at will, the 21 days run from the end of the tenancy or from when the landlord accepts the tenant's surrender of the premises, whichever is later. Mailing to the tenant's last known address counts. The deposit chapter doesn't apply to a dwelling unit in a structure of no more than 5 units, one of which the landlord occupies. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6033(2), 6037(2)

Itemized deductions

Required, in writing, within the same deadline, with payment of the remainder. The statement must itemize the reasons for keeping any part of the deposit. 14 M.R.S. § 6033(2)

Interest

The statute doesn't require it. 14 M.R.S. ch. 710-A

How it's held

In an account at a bank or other financial institution, kept apart from the landlord's own assets. The deposit can't be commingled with the landlord's assets. The statute does not require a bond. 14 M.R.S. § 6038(1)

Penalty

A landlord who misses the deadline or skips the written statement loses the right to withhold any of the deposit. A landlord who wrongfully withholds part of a deposit is liable for double that amount, plus attorney's fees and costs. The tenant must give 7 days' notice of intent to sue before filing, and the landlord has the burden of proving the withholding was not wrongful. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6033(3), 6034

Rent increases in Maine

Notice to raise rent

At least 45 days' written notice. If the increase is 10% or more, at least 75 days' written notice. Increases within 12 months are added together for the 10% test. The 75-day rule has exceptions for deed-restricted affordable housing and for housing under certain subsidy restrictions. A rent increase is also barred while the unit violates the warranty of habitability. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6015(1), (2), 6016

Statewide cap

None in the statute. The statute sets notice periods for increases, not a percentage or dollar limit. 14 M.R.S. ch. 709

City rent control

The statute doesn't say. No Maine statute bans or authorizes local rent control. The former state chapter on municipal rent control is repealed. 30-A M.R.S. ch. 167

This page covers Maine state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones.

Questions landlords ask

Free templates you can use in Maine

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

• Rent increase letter kit: increase notice, renewal offer, pricing worksheet and delivery log.
• Late rent notice kit: friendly reminder, past-due notice, payment plan and delivery log.
• Security deposit return kit: itemized return letter, wear-and-tear guide and move-out checklist.
• Move-in kit: inspection checklist and deposit receipt, signed by the tenant.
• Rent ledger: running tenant balances and printable statements.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14, chapter 710-A) or talk to a local attorney before you act.