Maine Security Deposit Demand Letter (14 M.R.S. § 6033)

Moved out and still waiting on your deposit? A clear, written demand is usually the first step — and often the last one needed. Answer the questions below and your letter fills itself in as you type.

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[Your full name]
[Your forwarding address]

October 15, 2026

[Landlord or property manager name]

Re: Demand for return of security deposit — [Rental address]

Dear [Landlord or property manager name],

I was a tenant at [Rental address] and moved out on [Move-out date]. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of [Deposit amount ($)]. So far none of my deposit has been returned, and I have not received an itemized statement of deductions.

Under 14 M.R.S. § 6033, a landlord must return the security deposit, or send a written statement itemizing the reasons for keeping any portion of it, within the time stated in a written lease, not to exceed 30 days, or within 21 days for a tenancy at will. Under 14 M.R.S. § 6034, this letter also serves as my notice, at least 7 days in advance, that I intend to bring a court action if the deposit is not returned.

Please send [Deposit amount ($)] to me at the forwarding address above within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you believe you are entitled to keep any part of the deposit, please send a written, itemized statement of each deduction, with copies of receipts or invoices.

If I have not received the deposit or a proper itemized statement by October 29, 2026, I intend to file a claim in small claims court, where I may ask for twice the amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable legal fees and court costs.

I would prefer to resolve this without going to court, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of mailing for my records.

Sincerely,

[Your full name]

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How security deposits work in Maine

Maine landlords must return a security deposit within the time set in a written lease, which can be no more than 30 days after the tenancy ends. For a tenancy at will, the deadline is 21 days after the tenancy ends or the landlord accepts surrender of the unit, whichever is later. The landlord may keep money only for actual cause, such as unpaid rent or unpaid utility charges owed to the landlord, and never for normal wear and tear.

If the landlord keeps any part of the deposit, they must send a written statement itemizing the reasons, together with full payment of the balance. Mailing the statement and payment to the tenant's last known address counts as compliance, so giving the landlord a current forwarding address in writing helps make sure the refund actually reaches you.

Before going to court, a Maine tenant must give the landlord at least 7 days' notice of the intent to sue. If the landlord still doesn't return the entire deposit within that time, the law presumes the deposit is being wrongfully kept. A landlord who wrongfully keeps a deposit can be ordered to pay double the amount withheld, plus reasonable legal fees and court costs.

What to do, step by step

Fill in your details
Answer the questions above. Your letter updates live as you type, so you can check every detail before you send it.
Send it in a way you can prove
Mail the letter by certified mail with return receipt and keep the receipt. If your lease lists an email address for notices, send a copy there too.
Wait for a reply
Give your landlord the 14 days stated in the letter. For reference, Maine's own deadline under 14 M.R.S. § 6033 is 30 days after move-out.
Gather your evidence
Collect your lease, move-in and move-out photos, any inspection checklist, rent receipts and every message about the deposit.
File in small claims if needed
If the deposit still doesn't come back, you can file in small claims court (Maine limit: $10,000). Bring this letter and your proof of mailing.

What if the landlord ignores the letter?

Silence doesn't end the matter. Your letter creates a dated record that you asked for the deposit back and gave a reasonable deadline — exactly what a small claims judge will want to see.

In Maine, the rules are set out in Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14, §§ 6031–6038. If a landlord keeps a deposit without following them, a court may award twice the amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable legal fees and court costs.

Small claims court is designed for people representing themselves: filing fees are modest, forms are short, and hearings are informal. In Maine the limit is $10,000, which covers nearly every deposit dispute.

Example Maine security deposit demand letter

A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.

Jordan Rivera
88 Pine Ave, Springfield

October 5, 2026

Oakview Property Management
500 Market St, Suite 200, Springfield

Re: Demand for return of security deposit — 123 Elm St, Apt 4B, Springfield

Dear Oakview Property Management,

I was a tenant at 123 Elm St, Apt 4B, Springfield and moved out on August 31, 2026. At the start of my tenancy I paid a security deposit of $1,800.00. So far you have returned $300.00, leaving $1,500.00 outstanding.

I returned all keys on August 31 and took dated photos of every room, which show the unit clean and undamaged apart from normal wear and tear.

Please send $1,500.00 to me at the forwarding address above within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you believe you are entitled to keep any part of the deposit, please send a written, itemized statement of each deduction, with copies of receipts or invoices.

If I have not received the deposit or a proper itemized statement by October 19, 2026, I intend to file a claim in small claims court, where I may ask for twice the amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable legal fees and court costs.

I would prefer to resolve this without going to court, and I am keeping a copy of this letter and proof of mailing for my records.

Sincerely,

Jordan Rivera

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Maine landlord have to return a deposit?

Up to 30 days after the tenancy ends if you had a written lease, or a shorter period if the lease sets one. For a tenancy at will, the deadline is 21 days after the tenancy ends or the landlord accepts your surrender of the unit, whichever is later.

Do I have to warn my Maine landlord before suing?

Yes. Maine requires a tenant to give the landlord notice of the intent to sue at least 7 days before filing. If the full deposit isn't returned within that period, the law presumes the landlord is wrongfully keeping it, and the landlord has to prove otherwise.

What can I recover if my Maine landlord wrongfully keeps my deposit?

A court can order the landlord to pay double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable legal fees and court costs. That makes it worth documenting the condition of the unit and keeping copies of your letters and mailing receipts.

What is the small claims limit in Maine?

Maine raised its small claims limit to $10,000, not counting interest and costs, which covers nearly every deposit dispute. Small claims cases are heard in the District Court, and the law describes the process as a simple, speedy and informal procedure.

Do I have to send a demand letter before going to small claims?

Many courts expect you to have asked for the money first, and a written demand is the simplest proof that you did. It also resolves a large share of disputes on its own.

How should I send the letter?

Use a method that gives you proof of delivery, such as certified mail with return receipt. Keep a copy of the letter and the receipt together.

FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.