Maine eviction rules for tenants

Notice for unpaid rent

Tenancy at will: a written 7-day notice once you are 7 or more days behind on rent. If you pay all the rent due before the 7 days run out, the notice is void. Even after the case is filed, you can stop the eviction by paying all back rent, rent due to date and the landlord's filing and service fees before the writ of possession issues (14 M.R.S. §§6002, 6005). With a written lease, the lease terms apply; if the lease is silent, §6002 applies.

Notice for a lease violation

Tenancy at will: a 7-day notice for substantial damage, nuisance, making the home unfit, violence or threats, or unauthorized occupants; otherwise a 30-day notice (14 M.R.S. §6002). Lease tenants: as the lease provides.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

At least 30 days' written notice from either side. The notice must tell you that you have the right to contest the termination in court (14 M.R.S. §6002).

Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit

The eviction (forcible entry and detainer) summons gives a court date; go to it. The court can refer the case to mediation. If the landlord wins, the writ of possession issues 7 calendar days after judgment (14 M.R.S. §6005). No answer deadline is set in the statute.

Lockouts and utility shutoffs

Evictions without court process are illegal, including cutting utilities, locking you out, or holding your belongings. You can recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney's fees (14 M.R.S. §6014).

Court self-help

The court's eviction self-help page

Law

14 M.R.S. §§6001-6005, 6014

In an eviction case, it is presumed to be retaliation if within 6 months before the case you: complained in good faith to a code agency, asked the landlord in writing for repairs, asserted your rights about rent increase notice or habitability, filed a fair housing complaint, told the landlord you are a domestic violence victim, or reported sexual harassment. The presumption does not apply to 7-day-notice evictions or lease-violation cases unless you show more (14 M.R.S. §6001(3)).

Notice of a rent increase

At least 45 days' written notice for any rent or mandatory recurring fee increase; at least 75 days' notice if the increase (alone or added to others in 12 months) is 10% or more, with exceptions for some subsidized or deed-restricted housing. Rent may not be increased while the home violates the warranty of habitability (14 M.R.S. §§6015, 6016).

Rent control

No statewide rent cap. Local rent control exists in Portland (city ordinance).