Maine eviction notice and late fee rules

Notice for unpaid rent

7 days — A tenancy at will may be terminated on 7 days' written notice if the landlord can show, by affirmative proof, one of the grounds the statute lists.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

Tenancies at will must be terminated by either party with a minimum of 30 days' written notice, except as provided in the statute.

Late-fee limit

A landlord may not assess a late-payment penalty exceeding 4% of the amount due for one month.

Grace period before a late fee

A rent payment is late if not made within 15 days from the time it is due.

Notice for unpaid rent

A tenancy at will may be terminated on 7 days' written notice if the landlord can show, by affirmative proof, one of the grounds the statute lists.

“the tenancy may be terminated upon 7 days' written notice in the event that the landlord can show, by affirmative proof, that:”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002(1)(C)

One of those grounds is that the tenant is 7 days or more in arrears in the payment of rent.

“C. The tenant is 7 days or more in arrears in the payment of rent;”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002(1)(C)

Paying to stop an eviction

If a tenant 7 or more days in arrears pays the full rent due before the 7-day notice expires, the notice is void; afterward, in tenancies at will, paying all arrears, rent due as of payment, and the landlord's filing and service fees before the writ of possession issues reinstates the tenancy.

“If a tenant who is 7 days or more in arrears in the payment of rent pays the full amount of rent due before the expiration of the 7-day notice in writing, that notice is void. Thereafter, in all residential tenancies at will, if the tenant pays all rental arrears, all rent due as of the date of payment and any filing fees and service of process fees actually expended by the landlord before the issuance of the writ of possession as provided by section 6005, then the tenancy must be reinstated and no writ of possession may issue.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002(1)

Ending a month-to-month or other periodic tenancy

Tenancies at will must be terminated by either party with a minimum of 30 days' written notice, except as provided in the statute.

“Tenancies at will must be terminated by either party by a minimum of 30 days' notice, except as provided in subsections 2 and 4, in writing for that purpose given to the other party,”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002

Lockouts and utility shutoffs

Except as permitted by specified statutes, evictions carried out without the court process of this chapter are illegal.

“Except as permitted by Title 15, chapter 517 or Title 17, chapter 91, evictions that are effected without resort to the provisions of this chapter are illegal and against public policy.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6014(1)

On a finding of illegal eviction, the tenant may recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater.

“The tenant is entitled to recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6014(2)(A)

Retaliation

In a forcible entry and detainer action there is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if, within 6 months before the action, the tenant engaged in listed protected activities.

“In any action of forcible entry and detainer there is a rebuttable presumption that the action was commenced in retaliation against the tenant if, within 6 months prior to the commencement of the action, the tenant has:”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6001(3)

A writ of possession may not issue unless the presumption of retaliation is rebutted.

“A writ of possession may not issue in the absence of rebuttal of the presumption of retaliation.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6001(3)

What the notice must say and how it is delivered

A termination notice under § 6002 must include language advising the tenant of the right to contest the termination in court.

“A notice to terminate under this section must include language advising the tenant that the tenant has the right to contest the termination in court.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002

If the landlord has made at least 3 good-faith efforts to serve the tenant, service may be made by both mailing the notice first class to the tenant's last known address and leaving it at the tenant's last and usual place of abode.

“but if the landlord or the landlord's agent has made at least 3 good faith efforts to serve the tenant, that service may be accomplished by both mailing the notice by first class mail to the tenant's last known address and by leaving the notice at the tenant's last and usual place of abode.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002

Late fees and grace periods

A landlord may not assess a late-payment penalty exceeding 4% of the amount due for one month.

“A landlord may not assess a penalty for the late payment of rent which exceeds 4% of the amount due for one month.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028(2)

A rent payment is late if not made within 15 days from the time it is due.

“A payment of rent is late if it is not made within 15 days from the time the payment is due.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028(1)

A late penalty may be assessed only if the landlord gave written notice when the rental agreement was entered into that a penalty of up to 4% of one month's rent may be charged.

“A landlord may not assess a penalty for the late payment of rent unless the landlord gave the tenant written notice at the time they entered into the rental agreement that a penalty, up to 4% of one month's rent, may be charged for the late payment of rent.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028(3)

If you have received a notice

1. Write down the date you received it and how it was delivered.
2. Check what it asks for — payment, fixing a problem, or moving out — and the deadline it gives against the Maine rules above.
3. Keep paying what you can document; ask for receipts.
4. If you receive court papers, note the response deadline on them; a legal-aid office or the court’s self-help center can help.

Check another situation with the eviction notice checker or the late fee checker.

Common questions

How much notice does a landlord in Maine have to give for unpaid rent?

A tenancy at will may be terminated on 7 days' written notice if the landlord can show, by affirmative proof, one of the grounds the statute lists. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002(1)(C)).

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Maine?

Tenancies at will must be terminated by either party with a minimum of 30 days' written notice, except as provided in the statute. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6002).

Is there a limit on rent late fees in Maine?

A landlord may not assess a late-payment penalty exceeding 4% of the amount due for one month. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6028(2)).