Maine Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
Maine rules on lockouts, utility shutoffs & retaliation for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: Evictions carried out without going through the court eviction process ('forcible entry and detainer') are illegal. 14 M.R.S. §6014
The rules in Maine
| Lockouts and illegal eviction | Evictions carried out without going through the court eviction process ('forcible entry and detainer') are illegal. A landlord may not willfully seize, hold or deny a tenant access to the rented home, or to the tenant's belongings, other than through proper court process. A court that finds an illegal eviction must award the tenant actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, and/or the tenant's reasonable costs and attorney's fees; these remedies are in addition to any others. Source: 14 M.R.S. §6014 |
|---|---|
| Landlord shutting off utilities | A landlord may not willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service to the tenant (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, sewer, elevator or refrigeration), whether or not the landlord controls the service, except temporary interruptions needed for actual repairs or emergencies; this is an illegal eviction. The tenant can recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, and the court may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees (14 M.R.S. §6014). If a landlord fails to pay for utility service in the landlord's name, the tenant may pay it and deduct the amount from rent, and the court must award the amount paid or $100, whichever is greater, plus costs (14 M.R.S. §6024-A). |
| Landlord retaliation | Rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the landlord files an eviction within 6 months after the tenant: asserted rights under §§ 6015, 6016, 6021, 6030-D, 6030-I or 6030-J; made a good-faith code complaint (or a code agency filed one); made a good-faith written complaint or repair request; filed a fair-housing complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission or HUD; notified the landlord of domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking victim status; or reported sexual harassment by the landlord. No writ of possession may issue unless the presumption is rebutted. The presumption does not apply to evictions based on § 6002(1) for-cause grounds or a lease violation (unless the tenant asserted § 6026 rights). Subsection 3 amended by PL 2023, c. 594. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6001(3) |
Related questions
Maine vs. neighboring states
| State | Lockouts and illegal eviction | Landlord shutting off utilities | Landlord retaliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | Evictions carried out without going through the court eviction process ('forcible entry and detainer') are illegal. A landlord may not willfully seize, hold or deny a tenant access to the rented home, or to the tenant's belongings, other than through proper court process. A court that finds an illegal eviction must award the tenant actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, and/or the tenant's reasonable costs and attorney's fees; these remedies are in addition to any others. 14 M.R.S. §6014 | A landlord may not willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service to the tenant (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, sewer, elevator or refrigeration), whether or not the landlord controls the service, except temporary interruptions needed for actual repairs or emergencies; this is an illegal eviction. The tenant can recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, and the court may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees (14 M.R.S. §6014). If a landlord fails to pay for utility service in the landlord's name, the tenant may pay it and deduct the amount from rent, and the court must award the amount paid or $100, whichever is greater, plus costs (14 M.R.S. §6024-A). 14 M.R.S. §6014; 14 M.R.S. §6024-A | Rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the landlord files an eviction within 6 months after the tenant: asserted rights under §§ 6015, 6016, 6021, 6030-D, 6030-I or 6030-J; made a good-faith code complaint (or a code agency filed one); made a good-faith written complaint or repair request; filed a fair-housing complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission or HUD; notified the landlord of domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking victim status; or reported sexual harassment by the landlord. 14 M.R.S. § 6001(3) |
| New Hampshire | Self-help eviction is banned. A landlord may not willfully seize, hold, or otherwise deny a tenant access to the rented premises or to the tenant's property except through proper judicial process, and may not try to get around the court eviction procedure. The tenant may file a petition in district court; the court may order relief including an order stopping the conduct and damages. A violating landlord owes actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater (2 to 3 times that amount if willful or knowing), plus costs and attorney's fees; if the landlord has re-let the unit or has a new tenant in it, damages for the unlawful lockout are at least $3,000. RSA 540-A:2, 540-A:3, II-III; RSA 540-A:4, VII-IX; RSA 358-A:10 | No. A landlord may not willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service supplied to the tenant, including water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, sewerage, elevator, or refrigeration, whether or not the landlord controls the service, except temporary interruptions during actual repairs or emergencies. The tenant may petition the district court (no filing fee), and a violating landlord owes actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater (2 to 3 times that amount if willful or knowing), plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. RSA 540-A:3, I; RSA 540-A:4; RSA 358-A:10 | Defense to eviction if retaliatory for: reporting (in good faith) a code or RSA 540-A violation to the landlord or an enforcement agency; filing an RSA 540-A action or using RSA 540:13-d; or meeting/organizing with other tenants. Rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the landlord evicts, raises rent, or substantially changes terms within 6 months of the protected act. RSA 540:13-a; RSA 540:13-b |
More Maine rental law
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Maine Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation FAQ
Can a landlord change the locks without a court order in Maine?
Evictions carried out without going through the court eviction process ('forcible entry and detainer') are illegal. A landlord may not willfully seize, hold or deny a tenant access to the rented home, or to the tenant's belongings, other than through proper court process. A court that finds an illegal eviction must award the tenant actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, and/or the tenant's reasonable costs and attorney's fees; these remedies are in addition to any others. (14 M.R.S. §6014)
Can a landlord shut off utilities in Maine?
A landlord may not willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service to the tenant (water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, sewer, elevator or refrigeration), whether or not the landlord controls the service, except temporary interruptions needed for actual repairs or emergencies; this is an illegal eviction. The tenant can recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, and the court may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees (14 M.R.S. §6014). If a landlord fails to pay for utility service in the landlord's name, the tenant may pay it and deduct the amount from rent, and the court must award the amount paid or $100, whichever is greater, plus costs (14 M.R.S. §6024-A). (14 M.R.S. §6014; 14 M.R.S. §6024-A)
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Maine?
Rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the landlord files an eviction within 6 months after the tenant: asserted rights under §§ 6015, 6016, 6021, 6030-D, 6030-I or 6030-J; made a good-faith code complaint (or a code agency filed one); made a good-faith written complaint or repair request; filed a fair-housing complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission or HUD; notified the landlord of domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking victim status; or reported sexual harassment by the landlord. (14 M.R.S. § 6001(3))
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.