Maine Security Deposit Law (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14 §§ 6031–6038)

Under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14 §6032, "A lease or tenancy at will agreement for a dwelling intended for human habitation may not require a security deposit equivalent to more than the rent for 2 months." Section 6033 sets the return timeline: for a written rental agreement, the deposit and any itemized statement of deductions are due "within the time, not to exceed 30 days, stated in the agreement"; for a tenancy at will, within 21 days after termination or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever is later. The landlord must provide a written statement itemizing reasons for any retention, accompanied by full payment of the balance. A landlord may deduct for unpaid rent, unpaid utility charges the tenant owed, and damage beyond normal wear and tear, but not for ordinary wear and tear (§6031).

Under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14 §6034, wrongful retention renders a landlord liable for "double the amount of that portion of the security deposit wrongfully withheld from the tenant, together with reasonable attorney's fees and court costs." The tenant must give the landlord at least 7 days' written notice of intent to sue before filing. Missing the statutory deadline forfeits the landlord's right to withhold any portion.