Deposit laws by state › Maine
State law · Maine
Maine security deposit law
How long your landlord has to return your deposit, what they can deduct, and what happens if they get it wrong.
Short answer: With a written lease, the landlord must return the deposit or send an itemized statement within the time the lease states, which cannot exceed 30 days. For a tenancy at will, it is 21 days after the tenancy ends or the landlord accepts surrender of the unit, whichever is later.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Maine?
- Return deadline
- With a written lease, the landlord must return the deposit or send an itemized statement within the time the lease states, which cannot exceed 30 days. For a tenancy at will, it is 21 days after the tenancy ends or the landlord accepts surrender of the unit, whichever is later.14 M.R.S. § 6033(2)
- Itemized list
- The itemized written statement, with full payment of everything not kept, is due within the same period.14 M.R.S. § 6033(2)
- Who these rules cover
- Maine's deposit law does not apply to a building of five or fewer units where the landlord lives in one of them.14 M.R.S. § 6037(2)
Prefer a full page? Use the security deposit deadline calculator.
What happens if a Maine landlord misses the deadline?
- If the landlord misses it
- A landlord who does not provide the written statement or return the deposit on time forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit.14 M.R.S. § 6033(3)
- Penalty
- Wrongful retention makes the landlord liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. If the tenant gives the required 7-day notice and the landlord still does not return the entire deposit, wrongful retention is presumed.14 M.R.S. § 6034(2)
- Burden of proof
- The landlord has the burden of proving the withholding was not wrongful.14 M.R.S. § 6034(3)
What can a Maine landlord deduct from your deposit?
What can be deducted: Reasons include unpaid rent, unpaid utilities owed to the landlord, storage and disposal of unclaimed property, and damage beyond normal wear and tear; the landlord must have actual cause. (14 M.R.S. § 6033(2))
Normal wear and tear: The deposit may not be kept for normal wear and tear, meaning deterioration from the intended use of the unit; damage from negligence, carelessness, accident or abuse is not normal wear and tear. (14 M.R.S. §§ 6031(1), 6033(1))
Cleaning: Costs to return a habitable unit to habitable condition, which may include cleaning and trash removal, are not normal wear and tear. (14 M.R.S. § 6031(1))
What the itemized list must include: A written statement itemizing the reasons for keeping any part of the deposit. (14 M.R.S. § 6033(2))
More on common charges: normal wear and tear, cleaning, painting, and a missing itemized list.
Is there a limit on security deposits in Maine?
A lease may not require a deposit of more than two months' rent. (14 M.R.S. § 6032)
Maine's deposit law does not apply to a building of five or fewer units where the landlord lives in one of them (14 M.R.S. § 6037).
Taking a deposit case to small claims court in Maine
Small-claims limit: Maine small claims covers claims up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs. (14 M.R.S. § 7482)
Notice before you sue: Before suing, the tenant must give the landlord notice of the tenant's intention to bring a legal action at least 7 days before filing. A demand letter that states that intention, with a response deadline of at least 7 days, serves as this notice. (14 M.R.S. § 6034(1))
Most deposit disputes never get that far. A clear demand letter, sent by certified mail, often settles them first.
Good to know
- Maine's deposit law does not apply to a building of five or fewer units where the landlord lives in one of them (14 M.R.S. § 6037(2)). If that describes your rental, these rules may not apply.
What to do if your Maine landlord kept your deposit
- Pin down your dates. When you moved out, returned the keys, and gave a forwarding address in writing. Compare them with the deadline above.
- Gather your evidence. Move-in and move-out photos, the lease, the landlord's list of deductions, receipts and messages. The case checklist covers what matters.
- Send a demand letter by certified mail. Ask for the money, cite Maine's rules, and give a deadline to pay. What a demand letter does.
- If they still don't pay, consider small claims court. You don't need a lawyer there.
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Sources
These rules come from the same verified table the Demand Letter Companion uses, checked against the sources below on October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the current official text before relying on a date.
- 14 M.R.S. §§ 6033-6034: legislature.maine.gov
- 14 M.R.S. § 7482: legislature.maine.gov
Other states: see the guides for all 50 states and DC
This page is general legal information, not legal advice. Local ordinances can add rules, and your lease and facts matter. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in Maine.