Maine Security Deposit Law: Limits, Deadlines, and Penalties
What Maine landlords can charge, when deposits must be returned, and what it costs to get it wrong. Last reviewed 2026-08-12.
How much can a landlord charge in Maine?
A security deposit on a residential rental unit may not exceed the equivalent of two months' rent (14 M.R.S. § 6032). The cap does not apply to rental units in an owner-occupied building of five or fewer units, which are exempt from the deposit chapter entirely.
Maine has no separate pet deposit statute; any refundable pet deposit is part of the security deposit and counts toward the two-month cap (no deposit may be charged for an assistance animal under fair housing law).
When must the deposit be returned?
With a written rental agreement, the deposit must be returned within the time stated in the agreement, not to exceed 30 days after the tenancy terminates or the premises are surrendered and accepted, whichever occurs later. For a tenancy at will (no written lease), the deadline is 21 days.
Any retention must be accompanied by a written statement itemizing the reasons, delivered with payment of the balance owed. A landlord who fails to provide the statement or return the deposit on time forfeits the right to withhold any portion (14 M.R.S. § 6033).
What happens if a landlord misses the deadline?
Wrongful retention makes the landlord liable for double the portion of the deposit wrongfully withheld, together with reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (14 M.R.S. § 6034). Missing the return deadline also forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit.
Interest and holding requirements
Maine does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits.
Deposits must be held in an account of a bank or other financial institution, under terms that put the funds beyond the claims of the landlord's creditors; on request, the landlord must tell the tenant the institution's name and the account number (14 M.R.S. § 6038).
What Maine landlords get wrong
Two things trip up small Maine landlords. First, the deadline depends on the tenancy type: 30 days with a written lease, but only 21 days for a tenancy at will — and blowing the deadline forfeits your right to keep anything, even for legitimate damage. Second, the bank-account rule is real: deposits must sit in a financial institution beyond your creditors' reach, and tenants can demand the bank name and account number. Note the significant exemption: owner-occupied buildings with five or fewer units are outside the deposit chapter entirely. Deductions can never cover normal wear and tear.
The law itself
Frequently asked questions
How much security deposit can a landlord charge in Maine?
Up to two months' rent. That cap covers everything refundable you collect to secure the lease, including a pet deposit. The limit does not apply if you rent a unit in a building of five or fewer units where the owner also lives — those owner-occupied buildings are exempt from Maine's security deposit chapter altogether.
How long does a Maine landlord have to return a security deposit?
It depends on the tenancy. With a written lease, the deadline is whatever the lease says, up to a maximum of 30 days after the tenancy ends or the premises are surrendered, whichever is later. With a tenancy at will — renting month to month with no written lease — the landlord has only 21 days. Missing the deadline forfeits the right to withhold anything.
What can a Maine landlord deduct from a security deposit?
Only damage beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, and unpaid utility charges the tenant owed under the lease. Every deduction must appear in a written itemized statement sent with the remaining balance. Faded paint, worn carpet, and small nail holes are normal wear and cannot be charged. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to double damages plus attorney's fees.
Does a Maine landlord have to keep the deposit in a separate bank account?
Yes. The deposit must be held in a bank or other financial institution under terms that keep it beyond the reach of the landlord's creditors — it stays the tenant's money. If the tenant asks, the landlord must disclose the name of the institution and the account number where the deposit is held. Maine does not, however, require paying interest on the deposit.
Keep reading
Deposit deadlines are easy to miss — until they cost you triple.
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Start Free TrialThis page is general information, not legal advice. Statutes change — verify against the official text linked above or consult a local attorney before acting.