Maine Eviction Laws
Maine rules on eviction for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: 7-day written notice to quit (tenancy at will) when rent is 7 or more days in arrears. Paying the full rent due before the notice expires voids it. 14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(C), (1), (2)
The rules in Maine
| Notice for unpaid rent | 7-day written notice to quit (tenancy at will) when rent is 7 or more days in arrears. Paying the full rent due before the notice expires voids it. After expiration, paying all arrears, rent due to date, and the landlord's filing and service fees before the writ of possession issues reinstates the tenancy. The notice must state the amount 7+ days in arrears, include the statutory void/reinstatement statement, and advise the tenant of the right to contest in court. Per the Maine Judicial Branch, the Residential FED Information Sheet and Mediation Request (form CV-256) must be served with each residential notice to quit (https://courts.maine.gov/help/guides/fed-brochure-revised.pdf). If there is a lease, notice is served as required by the lease. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(C), (1), (2) |
|---|---|
| Notice for lease violations | Tenancy at will: 7-day written notice for specified causes - substantial unrepaired damage, nuisance/making the unit unfit/violation of law, domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking against another tenant, violence or threats against other tenants/guests/landlord, or an unauthorized occupant. The statutory cure/reinstatement right in § 6002 applies to the rent-arrears ground. For written leases, the lease terms govern; if a lease has no termination provision for material breach, § 6001(1-B) allows termination under § 6002 procedures. Landlord must prove the 7-day grounds by affirmative proof. A tenant may terminate with 7 days' written notice if the landlord substantially breaches the lease (§ 6001(1-B), https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/title14sec6001.html). |
| Lockouts & utility shutoffs | Self-help eviction is illegal: a landlord may not willfully interrupt utilities (water, heat, electricity, gas, etc.), lock the tenant out, or seize the tenant's property except by judicial process. Remedy: actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Temporary interruptions for actual repairs or emergencies are exempt. The AG advises tenants to call local law enforcement and notify the AG's office. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6014 |
How an eviction case works in Maine
Eviction cases are heard in: Maine District Court (where the property is located); called Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED).
- Serve a notice to quit (7-day for cause/nonpayment or 30-day no-cause for tenancies at will; per lease terms if a lease), with the CV-256 Information Sheet and Mediation Request
- After the notice period ends, file Complaint (CV-007) and get an FED Summons (CV-034, $5 each) from the clerk; attach the CV-256 and Notice Regarding Electronic Service
- Sheriff serves each defendant at least 14 days before the hearing (mail-plus-posting allowed after 3 attempts on 3 separate days, with affidavit CV-204)
- File notice to quit, complaint, summons with return of service, lease, and $100 filing fee at least 3 business days before the hearing
- Hearing; free mediation available at court on the hearing day
- Judgment for possession
- Writ of possession issues 7 days after judgment (tenant can still reinstate in nonpayment cases by paying arrears, rent due, and filing/service costs before the writ issues)
- Sheriff or constable serves the writ; tenant has 48 hours to leave, after which belongings are treated as abandoned under § 6013
Landlords: how to evict a tenant in Maine — steps, costs, timeline and forms.
Eviction court and fees by county
Free calculators
- Notice Deadline Calculator — Enter the date a notice was delivered and see the date it runs out under your state's law.
Templates
Related questions
- Can a landlord evict you without going to court, change the locks or shut off utilities?
- How long does an eviction take?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before an eviction?
Maine vs. neighboring states
| State | Notice for unpaid rent | Notice for lease violations | Lockouts & utility shutoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 7-day written notice to quit (tenancy at will) when rent is 7 or more days in arrears. Paying the full rent due before the notice expires voids it. After expiration, paying all arrears, rent due to date, and the landlord's filing and service fees before the writ of possession issues reinstates the tenancy. 14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(C), (1), (2) | Tenancy at will: 7-day written notice for specified causes - substantial unrepaired damage, nuisance/making the unit unfit/violation of law, domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking against another tenant, violence or threats against other tenants/guests/landlord, or an unauthorized occupant. The statutory cure/reinstatement right in § 6002 applies to the rent-arrears ground. For written leases, the lease terms govern; if a lease has no termination provision for material breach, § 6001(1-B) allows termination under § 6002 procedures. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6002(1)(A)-(F), 6001(1-B) | Self-help eviction is illegal: a landlord may not willfully interrupt utilities (water, heat, electricity, gas, etc.), lock the tenant out, or seize the tenant's property except by judicial process. Remedy: actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. 14 M.R.S. § 6014 |
| New Hampshire | 7-day written eviction notice (plus a demand for rent), stating the reason with specificity and telling the tenant of the right to avoid eviction by paying arrears. RSA 540:3, II-IV; RSA 540:2, II(a); RSA 540:5 | 30-day written eviction notice for breach of a material lease term or other good cause; 7 days for substantial damage to the premises, conduct affecting health or safety, or (in certain domestic-violence cases) a remaining cotenant accused of abuse. RSA 540:3, II; RSA 540:2, II-III | Prohibited. Landlord may not willfully interrupt or terminate any utility (even one it doesn't control), except temporarily for repairs or emergencies, and may not lock out or deny access to the tenant or the tenant's property except by judicial process. RSA 540-A:3, I-III; RSA 540-A:4; RSA 358-A:10 |
More Maine rental law
- Maine Security Deposit Law
- Maine Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Maine
- Maine Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Maine Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in Maine
- 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
Compare eviction in all 50 states and DC →
Maine Eviction Laws FAQ
How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Maine?
7-day written notice to quit (tenancy at will) when rent is 7 or more days in arrears. Paying the full rent due before the notice expires voids it. After expiration, paying all arrears, rent due to date, and the landlord's filing and service fees before the writ of possession issues reinstates the tenancy. (14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(C), (1), (2))
How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in Maine?
Tenancy at will: 7-day written notice for specified causes - substantial unrepaired damage, nuisance/making the unit unfit/violation of law, domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking against another tenant, violence or threats against other tenants/guests/landlord, or an unauthorized occupant. The statutory cure/reinstatement right in § 6002 applies to the rent-arrears ground. For written leases, the lease terms govern; if a lease has no termination provision for material breach, § 6001(1-B) allows termination under § 6002 procedures. (14 M.R.S. §§ 6002(1)(A)-(F), 6001(1-B))
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Maine?
Self-help eviction is illegal: a landlord may not willfully interrupt utilities (water, heat, electricity, gas, etc.), lock the tenant out, or seize the tenant's property except by judicial process. Remedy: actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. (14 M.R.S. § 6014)
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.