Maine Statewide Rule
Maine Eviction Notice Requirements (Tit. 14 § 6002)
Key Facts
- Nonpayment of rent
- 7-day notice (void if cured)
- For cause (damage/nuisance/violence)
- 7-day notice
- No-cause (tenancy at will)
- 30-day notice
- Self-help eviction
- Prohibited: must use court FED action
- Statute
- Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14 § 6002
Summary
Before evicting, a Maine landlord must serve the proper written notice: 7 days for nonpayment of rent, 7 days for cause such as serious property damage, nuisance, or violence, and 30 days to end a tenancy at will without cause. Only after the notice expires may a forcible entry and detainer action proceed.
1. Causes for 7-day notice of termination of tenancy. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the tenancy may be terminated upon 7 days' written notice in the event that the landlord can show, by affirmative proof, that: A. The tenant, the tenant's family or an invitee of the tenant has caused substantial damage to the demised premises that the tenant has not repaired or caused to be repaired before the giving of the notice provided in this subsection; [PL 2009, c. 171, §2 (NEW).] B. The tenant, the tenant's family or an invitee of the tenant caused or permitted a nuisance within the premises, has caused or permitted an invitee to cause the dwelling unit to become unfit for human habitation or has violated or permitted a violation of the law regarding the tenancy; [PL 2015, c. 293, §7 (AMD).] C. The tenant is 7 days or more in arrears in the payment of rent; [PL 2017, c. 103, §1 (AMD).] D.
Full Breakdown
Eviction notice periods come from Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14 § 6002. A landlord may serve a 7-day written notice when the tenant is "7 days or more in arrears in the payment of rent"; that notice is void if the tenant pays all overdue rent before it expires. A separate 7-day notice applies for cause, including substantial unrepaired damage to the premises, creating a nuisance, causing or threatening violence, or unauthorized occupancy. To terminate a no-cause tenancy at will, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice. The notice must state the ground and, for arrears, the overdue amount and the right to reinstate. Only after the applicable notice period runs may the landlord file a forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action; the court process, not the landlord, removes the tenant.
Violations & Penalties
No statutory fine on the landlord, but self-help eviction is prohibited and an eviction filed without proper notice will be dismissed; tenants may recover for unlawful ouster (tit. 14 §§ 6002, 6014).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days' notice does a Maine eviction require?
Can a Maine landlord lock me out without going to court?
Sources
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