Maine Security Deposit: Your Deadline and Next Step
In Maine, a landlord has 30 days or 21 days. Which one applies depends on one question below.
- I had a written lease or rental agreement
- I had no written agreement (a tenancy at will)
Last checked 2026-07-14
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Details of the return rules
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)).
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| I had a written lease or rental agreement | 30 days | after end of tenancy under written rental agreement (or shorter time stated in the agreement) |
| I had no written agreement (a tenancy at will) | 21 days | after termination of the tenancy or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs later |
Maine return rule: 30 calendar days (written rental agreement; statutory outer limit is 30 days; lease may set a shorter period). Check the dates you entered above.
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) |
|---|---|
| Additional deadline 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) |
The landlord says you owe more than the deposit. What now?
Answer the landlord in writing and identify each disputed charge. Choose the "My landlord says I owe more" tab above. Ask for an itemized explanation and keep your response in writing.
A debt collector's notice and a credit report dispute have separate federal rules. Check whether those situations apply to you:
A debt collector's validation notice must state that the debt is assumed valid unless you dispute it within 30 days after receiving the notice. 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a)(3): unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector
If you dispute the debt in writing within that 30-day period, the collector must stop collecting the disputed part until it mails you verification. 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(b): If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt
If a disputed debt appears on your credit report, you can dispute it with the credit reporting agency, which must reinvestigate free of charge. 15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(1)(A): if the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in a consumer's file at a consumer reporting agency is disputed by the consumer and the consumer notifies the agency directly, or indirectly through a reseller, of such dispute, the agency shall, free of charge, conduct a reasonable reinvestigation
What can a landlord deduct in Maine?
Maine law names a specific rule for 2 of 6 common charges (cleaning and unpaid rent and fees). For the others, the general wear-and-tear rule applies.
| Charge | Can the landlord deduct it? | Rule | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Only if this condition is met: A security deposit or any portion of a security deposit shall not be retained for the purpose of paying for normal wear and tear. | A deposit shall not be retained to pay for normal wear and tear. The statutory definition provides that returning the unit to a habitable condition… | 14 M.R.S. §§ 6031(1), 6033(1) |
| Carpet replacement | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034) |
| Painting | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034) |
| Nail holes and wall damage | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034) |
| Pet damage | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034) |
| Unpaid rent and fees | Yes | Reasons for which a landlord may retain the deposit include, but are not limited to, costs of storing and disposing of unclaimed property, nonpayment of… | 14 M.R.S. § 6033(2) |
I never did a move-in inspection. How do I prove the condition?
Collect move-out photos, messages, witnesses, and repair invoices. Put them in date order before responding.
Where do you file if the letter does not work?
Small claims court in Maine hears claims up to $10,000. You can ask for up to $10,000 there, or file for the full amount in District Court (small claims). Check the court and fees.
The state record lists a 6-year period to sue. Check when your claim accrued before counting from it.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | Portland District Court, Portland | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| York | Biddeford District Court, Biddeford | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Penobscot | Bangor District Court, Bangor | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See all 21 county small claims courts and filing fees
What happens if the landlord misses the deadline?
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 Keep statutory damages separate from the deposit and other actual damages.
Maine is one of 36 states where the law sets a multiple of the deposit.
With a deposit of $1,139 (median county rent), a claim for the deposit plus the maximum penalty is $3,417; fits under the $10,000 small claims limit.
How does Maine's deadline compare with other states?
Maine's return deadline is 30 days. The middle of the comparable state deadlines is ≈30 days. Use the dates and questions above to see which deadline applies to you.
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Maine | 30 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
See all 51 jurisdictions
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Montana | 10 days |
| Alaska | 14 days |
| Arizona | 14 days |
| Hawaii | 14 days |
| Kansas | 14 days |
| Nebraska | 14 days |
| New York | 14 days |
| Vermont | 14 days |
| Florida | 15 days |
| Delaware | 20 days |
| Rhode Island | 20 days |
| California | 21 days |
| Connecticut | 21 days |
| Idaho | 21 days |
| Minnesota | 21 days |
| South Dakota | 21 days |
| Wisconsin | 21 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
| Michigan | 30 days |
| Missouri | 30 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| New Jersey | 30 days |
| New Mexico | 30 days |
| North Carolina | 30 days |
| North Dakota | 30 days |
| Ohio | 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days |
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| Texas | 30 days |
| Utah | 30 days |
| Washington | 30 days |
| Wyoming | 30 days |
| Oregon | 31 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
| Virginia | 45 days |
| Alabama | 60 days |
| Arkansas | 60 days |
| West Virginia | 60 days |
| Kentucky | No fixed return deadline |
| Tennessee | No fixed return deadline |
Source: state statute records · checked 2026-07-14 · n=48 fixed rules among 51 jurisdictions · method: first listed return deadline; calendar months plotted as ≈30 days · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
FAQ
How do I confirm the Maine deadline?
Use the questions above to match your dates to Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6031-6039 (esp. §§ 6032-6034), and keep proof of each date.
What is the small claims limit in Maine?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Maine court guide
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 rule Help Topicscourt self help
What's next?
What to do if there is no response · How to send your letter · How to write a demand letter
Statute text, sources and changes
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
Sources
- https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/title14sec6033.html · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/title14sec6034.html · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://www.ptla.org/security-deposit · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://www.courts.maine.gov/help/small-claims/index.html · accessed 2026-07-14
Changes
- : Record verified against the cited statute.
Verified 2026-07-14 · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6