Maine Eviction Notice Requirements
Maine's rules for tenancies at will, including month-to-month tenancies, are in 14 M.R.S. § 6002. A landlord may end the tenancy on 7 days' written notice if the tenant is 7 or more days behind on rent, or for causes such as substantial damage, a nuisance, or violence. Otherwise, the landlord gives at least 30 days' written notice. Maine has no general statewide cure period for lease violations; tenancies under a written lease follow the lease and other parts of the law.
If a tenant behind on rent pays the full amount due before the 7-day notice expires, the notice becomes void, and the notice must state the amount owed and include the statute's payment language. Every termination notice must tell the tenant of the right to contest it in court. Notice should be delivered in hand; after at least three good-faith attempts, it may be sent by first-class mail and left at the tenant's home. A 30-day notice and a 7-day notice can be combined in one document.
If the tenant stays after the notice period, the landlord files a forcible entry and detainer case in District Court. Under 14 M.R.S. § 6014, evictions without the court process are illegal, including cutting off utilities or denying a tenant access to the home or belongings, and the tenant can recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus legal fees. Only a writ of possession, served by a sheriff or constable, can remove a tenant.
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Maine: common questions
How much notice for unpaid rent in Maine?
If the tenant is at least 7 days behind, the landlord may give a 7-day written notice. Paying the full rent due before the notice expires makes it void. Even after filing, a tenant can often keep the tenancy by paying arrears and costs before the court issues a writ.
What causes allow a 7-day notice in Maine?
Besides rent 7 or more days late, Maine allows a 7-day notice for substantial damage the tenant hasn't repaired, a nuisance, making the unit unfit to live in, a violation of law regarding the tenancy, violence or threats, and an occupant who isn't authorized. The notice must name the specific ground, and the landlord must prove it in court.
How do I end a month-to-month tenancy in Maine?
Give at least 30 days' written notice under 14 M.R.S. § 6002. If rent is paid through a later date, the notice must expire on or after that date. Either side can waive the 30 days in writing, but only at the time the notice is given. The notice must say the tenant has the right to contest the termination in court.
Can a Maine landlord change the locks on a tenant?
No. Maine law makes evictions outside the court process illegal, including changing locks to deny access, holding a tenant's belongings or shutting off utilities. A landlord must win a forcible entry and detainer case, and the writ of possession is served by a sheriff or constable. An illegal eviction can cost a landlord at least $250 plus legal fees.
Compare nearby states
| State | Unpaid rent | Lease violation | Month-to-month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 7 days | See statute | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 7 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Alabama | See statute | See statute | 30 days |
| Alaska | 7 days | 10 days | 30 days |
| Arizona | 5 days | 10 days | 30 days |
| Arkansas | 3 days | 14 days | 30 days |
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