Maine Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Maine, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 calendar days (written rental agreement; statutory outer limit is 30 days; lease may set a shorter period) or 21 calendar days (tenancy at will (no written rental agreement)). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 30 calendar days (written rental agreement; statutory outer limit is 30 days; lease may set a shorter period): after end of tenancy under written rental agreement (or shorter time stated in the agreement); 21 calendar days (tenancy at will (no written rental agreement)): after termination of the tenancy or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs later. The verified state formula is failure to provide written statement or return deposit within the statutory time: landlord forfeits right to withhold any portion; if landlord still fails to return entire deposit within 7 days after tenant's pre-suit notice of intent to sue, wrongful retention is presumed and landlord is liable for double the portion wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; landlord bears burden to prove withholding was not wrongful under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034).
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days (written rental agreement; statutory outer limit is 30 days; lease may set a shorter period); trigger: after end of tenancy under written rental agreement (or shorter time stated in the agreement) |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 21 calendar days (tenancy at will (no written rental agreement)); trigger: after termination of the tenancy or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs later |
| Penalty formula | failure to provide written statement or return deposit within the statutory time: landlord forfeits right to withhold any portion; if landlord still fails to return entire deposit within 7 days after tenant's pre-suit notice of intent to sue, wrongful retention is presumed and landlord is liable for double the portion wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; landlord bears burden to prove withholding was not wrongful |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | Not more than the equivalent of 2 months' rent for a dwelling intended for human habitation. |
| Forwarding address required | No |
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (District Court small claims (as of January 1, 2026)) in District Court (small claims) |
| Statute citation | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034) |
Statute says
A landlord shall return to a tenant the full security deposit deposited with the landlord by the tenant or, if there is actual cause for retaining the security deposit or any portion of it, the landlord shall provide the tenant with a written statement itemizing the reasons for the retention of the security deposit or any portion of it: A. In the case of a written rental agreement, within the time, not to exceed 30 days, stated in the agreement; and B. 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. The written statement itemizing the reasons for the retention of any portion of the security deposit must be accompanied by a full payment of the difference between the security deposit and the amount retained.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034) and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Maine is $1,139 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Cumberland County: $1,589
- York County: $1,339
- Penobscot County: $1,041
- Kennebec County: $992
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,139 before applying the state formula: failure to provide written statement or return deposit within the statutory time: landlord forfeits right to withhold any portion; if landlord still fails to return entire deposit within 7 days after tenant's pre-suit notice of intent to sue, wrongful retention is presumed and landlord is liable for double the portion wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; landlord bears burden to prove withholding was not wrongful.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | Portland District Court, Portland | $10,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| York | Biddeford District Court, Biddeford | $10,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Penobscot | Bangor District Court, Bangor | $10,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Kennebec | Augusta District Court, Augusta | $10,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Androscoggin | Lewiston District Court, Lewiston | $10,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
Free Maine template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Maine data for this page lists a 30 calendar days (written rental agreement; statutory outer limit is 30 days; lease may set a shorter period) or 21 calendar days (tenancy at will (no written rental agreement)) return window and cites Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034).
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Portland have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Maine law and local rules.
Does Lewiston have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Maine law and local rules.
Does Bangor have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Maine law and local rules.
Does South Portland have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Maine law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland, Auburn, Biddeford, Sanford, Saco.
Tenant resources
- Pine Tree Legal Assistancelegal aid
- Legal Services for Maine Elderslegal aid, 800-750-5353
- Maine Attorney General Consumer Protectionag consumer
- Maine Judicial Branch Help Topicscourt self help