Make a Maine Eviction Notice

What are the Components of a Maine Eviction Notice?

There are two basic types of Maine eviction notices. They both have the same basic components:

• The legal name(s) of the tenant(s) who signed the lease and are legally required to uphold its terms
• The address of the rental property
• The date the eviction notice was created
• How the eviction notice was served on the tenant (referred to as proof of service or certificate of service)
• The contact information of the landlord or property manager
• The printed name and signature of the landlord or property manager

Maine eviction notices are also known as a notice to quit. How many days the tenant receives to correct the issue or leave the property depends on the reason the eviction notice is issued. They may also have specific additional components.

Maine 7-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Payment of Rent

A 7-day notice to quit for non-payment of rent notifies the tenant that they have seven days to pay their rent or vacate the property. This notice should inform the tenant of:

• The total amount due
• When it must be paid
• How it must be paid
• Where it may be paid
• The date by which they must pay or leave the property

Landlords should note that while Maine landlord-tenant law states that rent is late if it is not paid on the day of the month listed in the lease, they may not charge a late fee until the rent is 15 days past due. This Maine eviction notice is governed by Title 14 § 6002.

Maine 7-Day Notice to Quit for Curable Non-Compliance

A 7-day notice to quit for non-compliance is used when a tenant violates the lease by performing at least one of the following (aside from non-payment of rent):

• The tenant is suspected of causing major damage to the property and the damage hasn’t been fixed
• The tenant caused or allowed a nuisance on the premises
• The tenant allowed the premises to become uninhabitable
• The tenant is accused or suspected of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking another tenant on the premises

With this notice, the tenant has seven days to correct the violation or vacate the property. This notice should:

• Explain the lease violation in detail
• Provide the date by which the violation must be corrected or the tenant must vacate the property

If there is no language in the lease that outlines unacceptable activities or if there is only an oral contract, this notice may still be used. This notice is governed by Title 14 § 6001(1-B), § 6002(1), and § 6025(3).

Maine Lease Termination Letter – 30 Day Notice

A 30-day notice to quit isn’t an eviction notice. However, it does end a month-to-month lease, also known as a tenancy at will. The tenant doesn’t have to violate the month-to-month tenancy. Either the tenant wants to move or the landlord wants to regain possession of the property. This letter gives the tenant 30 days of notice when issued by the landlord. It should include the date by which the tenant should vacate the property. A 30-day notice to quit for a month-to-month lease is regulated by Title 14 § 6002.

Service of a Maine Eviction Notice

Landlord-tenant law states that the landlord or their agent must personally serve the tenant on the rental property. They must make three attempts in good-faith. If service is not made after those three attempts, the notice may be posted on the front door or other visible location on the rental property. The landlord must also send a copy of the eviction notice via first-class mail to the tenant’s last-known address.

What are the Legal Considerations of a Maine Eviction Notice?

Maine landlord-tenant laws govern the eviction process, including why eviction notices may be issued and how they must be served. Eviction notices must include explaining why the notice is issued and how long the tenant has to correct the lease violation.

It is illegal in the State of Maine for a landlord to change the locks, turn off the utilities, or remove the tenant’s belongings without a court order. It is also illegal for a landlord to engage in what is referred to as retaliatory eviction. In plain English, this means that a landlord may not evict a tenant because the tenant reports existing code violations. Tenants also may not be evicted based on their race, skin color, religion, country of national origin, gender, disability, or family status. If the landlord is a party to an illegal eviction, the tenant may have the grounds to file a lawsuit against the landlord and be awarded financial compensation.

Eviction Information for Maine Tenants

Maine tenants have rights and obligations under landlord-tenant law. The Attorney General’s Office provides a free PDF download that explains your rights as a tenant when you rent an apartment. Read the eviction notice that you receive. Determine the reason it was given to you and how long you have to correct the problem. If you don’t have a written lease, the landlord can still serve you with an eviction notice. If you have questions about the eviction notice, call your landlord or their agent. Receiving an eviction notice can be a stressful experience. Don’t get upset while you’re on the phone. Getting upset won’t help you sort out the situation.

You cannot be legally evicted for reporting code violations or for one of the seven protected classes listed above under Legal Considerations. The landlord may not remove your belongings, turn off utilities, or change the locks unless they have a court order. If you believe that the eviction against you is illegal, you have several options:

• Contact a landlord-tenant lawyer. They can tell you whether you have a case for illegal eviction.
• Contact the University of Maine School of Law. Ask if they have a legal clinic. Legal clinics may provide low-cost legal services to the public. They often help tenants who meet the guidelines to receive their services.
• Contact a legal aid organization. If you meet their income requirements, they may provide you with low cost or free legal help. Even if you don’t qualify for help from the organization, they may have other resources that you may be eligible to use.

Eviction Information for Maine Landlords

Maine landlords are required to follow landlord-tenant law. Drafting and serving an eviction notice on the tenant is the first step for a landlord who wants to go through the legal process of evicting a tenant. Keep in mind that unless you get a court order, you may not change the locks, remove the tenant’s personal belongings, or shut off the utilities. Those methods are known as “self-help” methods and they are illegal unless you have a court order.

If you have questions or want to know more about your rights and obligations as a landlord, make an appointment to talk with a landlord-tenant attorney.