Maine’s landlord-tenant laws under Title 14 Chapter 710 balance renting protections with ownership freedoms, requiring habitable units, capped fees, and notice periods while exempting owners from such obligations. Landlords must maintain safe housing with functional plumbing, electricity, and pest control; tenants must pay rent on time, report issues, and avoid damage. Security deposits max at two months’ rent (one month for elderly/disabled tenants), held in a Maine bank account with annual interest statements.​
Landlord Obligations
Landlords disclose radon, smoking policies, and all fees upfront; only first month’s rent, security deposit, and opt-in recurring fees allowed at signing, with a total cost disclosure. Entry requires 24 hours’ notice for repairs or showings; rent hikes over 10% need 75 days’ notice (45 days otherwise), late fees capped at 4% after 15 days. No self-help evictions; court process required for nonpayment or violations.​
Tenant Protections
Tenants gain privacy, quiet enjoyment, repair rights (withhold or deduct for habitability failures), and anti-retaliation safeguards after reporting issues. Discrimination bans cover race, gender identity, ancestry, pregnancy; screening fees at cost only, with report copies provided.​
2025 Updates
Public Law Chapter 594 limits initial fees and mandates disclosures starting January 1; rent caps at lower of 5% or CPI (10% max for large complexes), exempting small owner-occupied units and post-2020 construction. Mobile home parks require negotiation before hikes from September 2025.​
| Aspect | Renting | Owning |
|---|---|---|
| Fees/Deposits | Capped security (1-2 months), opt-in extras | None required |
| Rent Increases | Notice/caps apply | N/A (mortgage terms) |
| Maintenance | Landlord duty | Owner responsibility |
| Eviction Risk | Possible for violations | None |
These rules aid renting decisions but underscore ownership’s stability without caps or dependencies.
SOURCE
[1](https://innago.com/maine-landlord-tenant-laws/)
[2](https://www.hemlane.com/resources/maine-tenant-landlord-law/)
[3](https://www.leaserunner.com/laws/maine-rent-control-laws)
[4](https://www.steadily.com/blog/maine-rental-lease-agreement-laws-regulations)
[5](https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/title14ch710sec0.html)
