Squatters' Rights in Maine
Maine rules on squatters & abandoned property for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-23.
Short answer: No special squatter-removal or affidavit statute. The owner uses the court process of forcible entry and detainer (FED), which may be brought against 'a disseisor who has not acquired any claim by possession and improvement.' For an occupant of a tenant's unit who is not an authorized… 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001(1), 6002(1)(F)
The rules in Maine
| Squatters / unauthorized occupants | No special squatter-removal or affidavit statute. The owner uses the court process of forcible entry and detainer (FED), which may be brought against 'a disseisor who has not acquired any claim by possession and improvement.' For an occupant of a tenant's unit who is not an authorized occupant, the tenancy may be ended with a 7-day written notice (14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(F)) and then an FED action. No self-help. There is no Maine statute giving a quick police removal on affidavit (unlike FL/GA/NY). A search turned up no 2024-2026 Maine squatter bill that became law. Source: 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001(1), 6002(1)(F) |
|---|---|
| Belongings left behind | Store the property in a safe, dry, secure place. Send written notice by first-class mail with proof of mailing to the tenant's last known address. The notice must include an itemized list of the items and say the landlord may dispose of them if the tenant does not respond within 7 days. If the tenant is still in possession after judgment, the claim period cannot be shorter than 7 days after mailing or 48 hours after the writ is served, whichever is longer. If the tenant claims the property within 7 days, it must be released without payment as long as the tenant retrieves it by day 14. Unclaimed property may be held until arrears and storage are paid, sold at fair market value (any surplus goes to the Treasurer of State), or thrown away if it has no value. The tenant may waive these rights after vacating; an oral waiver must be confirmed in writing. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6013 |
Related questions
Maine vs. neighboring states
| State | Squatters / unauthorized occupants | Belongings left behind |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | No special squatter-removal or affidavit statute. The owner uses the court process of forcible entry and detainer (FED), which may be brought against 'a disseisor who has not acquired any claim by possession and improvement.' For an occupant of a tenant's unit who is not an authorized occupant, the tenancy may be ended with a 7-day written notice (14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(F)) and then an FED action. No self-help. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001(1), 6002(1)(F) | Store the property in a safe, dry, secure place. Send written notice by first-class mail with proof of mailing to the tenant's last known address. The notice must include an itemized list of the items and say the landlord may dispose of them if the tenant does not respond within 7 days. If the tenant is still in possession after judgment, the claim period cannot be shorter than 7 days after mailing or 48 hours after the writ is served, whichever is longer. If the tenant claims the property within 7 days, it must be released without payment as long as the tenant retrieves it by day 14. Unclaimed property may be held until arrears and storage are paid, sold at fair market value (any surplus goes to the Treasurer of State), or thrown away if it has no value. The tenant may waive these rights after vacating; an oral waiver must be confirmed in writing. 14 M.R.S. § 6013 |
| New Hampshire | Fast court petition. No one who is not a tenant, subtenant or implied tenant may occupy residential property without the permission of the owner, landlord or their agent. The owner (including a 'non-rental owner' who does not rent the property out) or landlord files a petition in the district court; there is no filing fee, no lawyer is needed, and a peace officer or sheriff serves it. A hearing must be held within 48 hours of same-day service (or of service). If the occupant claims to be a subtenant or implied tenant, the occupant must prove it (e.g., a signed unexpired lease, recent rent receipts, cancelled checks, electronic payments, or messages showing an agreement); utility bills or IDs showing the address are not enough on their own. If the owner wins, the court orders immediate removal by law enforcement and awards actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater; the owner may dispose of remaining belongings (after 48 hours' notice if the occupant was an unauthorized subtenant) and occupants may be arrested for trespass. If the property is the non-rental owner's own residence and the occupant gets a continuance, the court must order the occupant out pending the hearing. RSA 540-A:3, IX; RSA 540-A:4, II-a, III, VI, VII(e) (VII(c) before Oct. 8, 2026) | The landlord must store a departed tenant's personal property with reasonable care for 7 days after the tenant vacates (voluntarily or by eviction). During those 7 days the tenant may recover it without paying rent or storage fees. After 7 days, the landlord may dispose of it without notice to the tenant. RSA 540-A:3, VII |
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
- Breaking a Lease 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 squatters & abandoned property in all 50 states and DC →
Squatters' Rights in Maine FAQ
How do you remove a squatter in Maine?
No special squatter-removal or affidavit statute. The owner uses the court process of forcible entry and detainer (FED), which may be brought against 'a disseisor who has not acquired any claim by possession and improvement.' For an occupant of a tenant's unit who is not an authorized occupant, the tenancy may be ended with a 7-day written notice (14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(F)) and then an FED action. No self-help. (14 M.R.S. §§ 6001(1), 6002(1)(F))
What can a landlord do with a tenant's abandoned property in Maine?
Store the property in a safe, dry, secure place. Send written notice by first-class mail with proof of mailing to the tenant's last known address. The notice must include an itemized list of the items and say the landlord may dispose of them if the tenant does not respond within 7 days. If the tenant is still in possession after judgment, the claim period cannot be shorter than 7 days after mailing or 48 hours after the writ is served, whichever is longer. If the tenant claims the property within 7 days, it must be released without payment as long as the tenant retrieves it by day 14. Unclaimed property may be held until arrears and storage are paid, sold at fair market value (any surplus goes to the Treasurer of State), or thrown away if it has no value. The tenant may waive these rights after vacating; an oral waiver must be confirmed in writing. (14 M.R.S. § 6013)
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.