Maine Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Maine, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: 14 M.R.S. §6033). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
Need the document itself?
Fill in a Maine security deposit demand letter and download a print-ready PDF — free, no signup, and it runs entirely in your browser.
Open the generator →The generator opens with Maine already selected.
Maine deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 2 months' rent
As of 2026. Source: 14 M.R.S. §6033 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Maine landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: 14 M.R.S. §6033). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Maine landlord can charge?
Yes: 2 months' rent (as of 2026; source: 14 M.R.S. §6033). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in Maine if the landlord ignores this?
$10,000 exclusive of interest and costs, effective January 1, 2026 (raised from $6,000 by PL 2025, c. 261 amending 14 M.R.S. § 7482). Older guides showing $6,000 are out of date. The court is the Small claims proceedings in the Maine District Court, and the filing fee is $70 to enter a small claims action (includes a $15 mediation fee) under the Judicial Branch fee schedule, Administrative Order JB-05-26 (A. 3-26), effective March 9, 2026; optional clerk service is $15 per party.. As of 2026; source: 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (as amended by PL 2025, c. 261); Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure.
Do I need a lawyer in Maine small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed but optional — the Judicial Branch guide says both sides may represent themselves or hire attorneys.. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (as amended by PL 2025, c. 261); Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Maine compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Maine: 14 M.R.S. §6033 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — New Hampshire (30 days). Every neighboring state with a rule matches Maine.
The rest of what Maine requires
The figures below are Maine's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Maine page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 2 months' rent 14 M.R.S. §6033 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out 14 M.R.S. §6033 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days 14 M.R.S. §6033 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 7 days to pay or quit 14 M.R.S. § 6002 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $10,000 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (as amended by PL 2025, c. 261); Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small claims proceedings in the Maine District Court · filing fee $70 to enter a small claims action (includes a $15 mediation fee) under the Judicial Branch fee schedule, Administrative Order JB-05-26 (A. 3-26), effective March 9, 2026; optional clerk service is $15 per party. 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (as amended by PL 2025, c. 261); Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- Limited to the actual cost of screening Maine Legislature ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Maine BMV / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required 18-C M.R.S. §5-905 ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Required by statute 31 M.R.S. § 1502(15) (definition); 31 M.R.S. § 1531(1)(B) (agreement must exist); 31 M.R.S. § 1521 (scope) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Registry of Deeds (Register of Deeds) · no witnesses 33 M.R.S. § 203 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Maine legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →