Breaking a Lease in Maine
Maine rules on breaking a lease for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: Applies to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, and to tenants sexually harassed by the landlord or the landlord's agent. Notice: 7 days' written notice for a tenancy at will or a lease shorter than one year; 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001(6)(A)-(H), 6002(4); definitions § 6000
The rules in Maine
| Ending a lease: domestic violence | Applies to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, and to tenants sexually harassed by the landlord or the landlord's agent. Notice: 7 days' written notice for a tenancy at will or a lease shorter than one year; 30 days' written notice for a lease of one year or more. Documentation naming the perpetrator is required, such as a signed statement from an advocate, health care provider or law enforcement officer, a protection order or complaint, a police report, or a criminal complaint or conviction. Liability: the victim owes no rent after the later of the date the notice expires or the date the victim moves out. Prepaid rent for the current month need not be refunded. Also: a victim cannot be evicted for incidents of violence against them, and owes no more than the security deposit for damage caused by a perpetrator who is a tenant, if notice is given within 30 days. § 6001(6) says a victim 'is not liable for any unpaid rent under the victim's lease.' § 6002(4) limits liability to rent through the later of notice expiry or move-out. Display both carefully. § 6001: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/title14sec6001.html |
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Related questions
- Can I break my lease because of domestic violence?
- Can I break my lease for military orders, medical reasons or a death?
Maine vs. neighboring states
| State | Ending a lease: domestic violence | Ending a lease: military, medical, death |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | Applies to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, and to tenants sexually harassed by the landlord or the landlord's agent. Notice: 7 days' written notice for a tenancy at will or a lease shorter than one year; 30 days' written notice for a lease of one year or more. Documentation naming the perpetrator is required, such as a signed statement from an advocate, health care provider or law enforcement officer, a protection order or complaint, a police report, or a criminal complaint or conviction. Liability: the victim owes no rent after the later of the date the notice expires or the date the victim moves out. Prepaid rent for the current month need not be refunded. Also: a victim cannot be evicted for incidents of violence against them, and owes no more than the security deposit for damage caused by a perpetrator who is a tenant, if notice is given within 30 days. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001(6)(A)-(H), 6002(4); definitions § 6000 | Not verified yet |
| New Hampshire | Yes (since Jan. 1, 2025). A tenant may end the lease if, within the most recent 150 days, the tenant or a household member at the premises was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking (or a new event related to past abuse makes the victim fear for their safety), and the victim gives the landlord written verification of one of: a protective order; filing for a protective order; a report to law enforcement; a statement from a law enforcement official, victim's advocate, attorney or health care provider; or a signed circuit-court self-certification form. The tenant must move out within 30 days of notice (or another agreed date) and owes rent only through the termination date or move-out date, whichever is later. The deposit stays applied until all tenants leave. The landlord must keep the verification confidential. RSA 540:11-b (2024 ch. 9) | Military: a tenant may end a lease if called to active duty as a member of the armed services reserve or National Guard, or, if on active duty, reassigned out of state. Notice of termination must be given within 7 days of receiving notice of the call-up or reassignment, by written notice under SCRA section 305. No state statute was found for medical/disability, senior, or tenant-death termination. RSA 540:11-a |
More Maine rental law
- Maine Security Deposit Law
- Maine Eviction Laws
- Maine Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Maine
- Maine Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Maine Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Squatters' Rights in Maine
- Maine Rental Fee Rules
- Maine Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Maine Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Maine Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Maine Landlord Selling the House
- Maine Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Maine Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Maine landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Maine
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Breaking a Lease in Maine FAQ
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Maine?
Applies to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, and to tenants sexually harassed by the landlord or the landlord's agent. Notice: 7 days' written notice for a tenancy at will or a lease shorter than one year; 30 days' written notice for a lease of one year or more. Documentation naming the perpetrator is required, such as a signed statement from an advocate, health care provider or law enforcement officer, a protection order or complaint, a police report, or a criminal complaint or conviction. Liability: the victim owes no rent after the later of the date the notice expires or the date the victim moves out. Prepaid rent for the current month need not be refunded. Also: a victim cannot be evicted for incidents of violence against them, and owes no more than the security deposit for damage caused by a perpetrator who is a tenant, if notice is given within 30 days. (14 M.R.S. §§ 6001(6)(A)-(H), 6002(4); definitions § 6000)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.