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Security deposit · Maine

Up to 30 days under a lease; 21 for a tenancy at will.

By housr editorsStatute text checked 2026-10-05Legal review pending
A named legal reviewer hasn't signed this page yet. We read and quoted the statute ourselves on 2026-10-05. Until review, this page isn't indexed by search engines. This is information, not legal advice. See legal review.
The short answer14 M.R.S. §6033(2)
Deadline30 calendar days
Before it appliesLease: the time it states (30 at most). At will: 21 days
If kept in bad faithDouble the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs

The rule

In Maine, the clock starts when: tenancy ends or you surrender, whichever is later. The landlord then has 30 calendar days. The statute says:

“In the case of a written rental agreement, within the time, not to exceed 30 days, stated in the agreement; and… In the case of a tenancy at will, within 21 days after the termination of the tenancy or the surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs later.”

Before suing, Maine asks you to give the landlord 7 days' notice of your intention to bring a legal action.

For example, if you returned the keys on Oct 25, 2026, the date would be Nov 24, 2026. Use the Clock for your own dates.

What the landlord has to send

A written statement itemizing the reasons for keeping any of it, sent with the balance.

“If the landlord fails to return the security deposit and provide the itemized statement within the time periods in section 6033, the tenant shall give notice to the landlord of the tenant's intention to bring a legal action no less than 7 days prior to commencing the action.”
14 M.R.S. §6034(1)

Do this

On move-out day

Give your forwarding address in writing and keep proof of sending. Photograph every room before you return the keys.

Deductions and wear and tear

Maine's statute limits what can be kept to the purposes it lists. We haven't summarised its wear-and-tear language yet; read the section linked above.

For a charge to replace something old, Fair Charge works out a prorated estimate from the item's age and useful life, and says where the useful life comes from. See also the item guides for carpet, paint and cleaning.

If the deadline passes

Double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.

“The wrongful retention of a security deposit in violation of this chapter renders a landlord liable for double the amount of that portion of the security deposit wrongfully withheld from the tenant, together with reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.”
14 M.R.S. §6034(2)

The usual first step is a written demand that states the date the deposit was due and cites the statute. Our demand letter does that and carries any disputed deductions.

Your next steps

Sources

  1. 14 M.R.S. §6033(2) · checked 2026-10-05
  2. 14 M.R.S. §6034(1) · checked 2026-10-05

Information, not legal advice. Statutes are quoted from official legislature sites; summaries are ours. Spotted an error? Tell us.