How many days does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Maine?

Maine law gives landlords 30 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, under 14 M.R.S. § 6033 (return; time; retention; penalty); 14 M.R.S. § 6034 (wrongful retention; damages).

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Maine?

Under 14 M.R.S. § 6033 (return; time; retention; penalty); 14 M.R.S. § 6034 (wrongful retention; damages), allowed deductions generally include nonpayment of rent and nonpayment of utility charges the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord. Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

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Maine security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Maine

Your landlord has 30 days under Maine law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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When did you move out?

This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.

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Maine security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

14 M.R.S. § 6033 (return; time; retention; penalty); 14 M.R.S. § 6034 (wrongful retention; damages)

TWO DEADLINES BY TENANCY TYPE, per § 6033(2). (A) WRITTEN RENTAL AGREEMENT: within the time stated in the agreement, NOT TO EXCEED 30 DAYS — a lease specifying less is binding at that shorter time. (B) TENANCY AT WILL: within 21 DAYS after termination of the tenancy or the surrender and acceptance of the premises, WHICHEVER OCCURS LATER. If there is actual cause to retain any portion, the landlord must provide a written statement itemizing the reasons, and that statement MUST be accompanied by full payment of the difference between the deposit and the amount retained. The landlord is deemed to have complied by mailing the statement and any payment to the tenant's last known address.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Maine?

Allowed

✓Nonpayment of rent
✓Nonpayment of utility charges the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord
✓Costs of storing and disposing of unclaimed property
✓Other damages for which there is actual cause (the statute says reasons 'include, but are not limited to' the listed ones)

Not allowed

✗Normal wear and tear — § 6033(1) states a deposit shall not be retained for the purpose of paying for normal wear and tear
✗Any portion at all where the landlord missed the deadline — § 6033(3) forfeits the right to withhold

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Maine?

Under § 6033(3), a landlord who fails to provide the written statement or return the deposit within the § 6033(2) time FORFEITS the right to withhold any portion. Under § 6034(2), wrongful retention renders the landlord liable for DOUBLE (2x) the portion wrongfully withheld, together with reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. MANDATORY PRE-SUIT NOTICE, § 6034(1): the tenant shall give the landlord notice of intent to bring legal action NO LESS THAN 7 DAYS prior to commencing the action; if the landlord fails to return the entire deposit within that 7-day period, wrongful retention is PRESUMED. Under § 6034(3), the LANDLORD bears the burden of proving the withholding was not wrongful — a strong posture for the renter.

How TenantNex helps

1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
2. We generate a demand letter citing 14 M.R.S. § 6033 (return; time; retention; penalty); 14 M.R.S. § 6034 (wrongful retention; damages) and your exact deadline.
3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Maine tenant rights resources

HUD — tenant rights and resources
Find your state's consumer protection / Attorney General office
Key statute: 14 M.R.S. § 6033 (return; time; retention; penalty); 14 M.R.S. § 6034 (wrongful retention; damages) — verified against the official text on 2026-09-04.

Every fact on this page is verified against Maine's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Maine.

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Your money is due back

30 days

Maine law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.

If they wrongfully withhold

up to 2× your deposit

Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.

14 M.R.S. § 6033 (return; time; retention; penalty); 14 M.R.S. § 6034 (wrongful retention; damages) — verified against the official statute 2026-09-04

Your 30 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 2× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.

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We don't stop at mailing it. If your landlord doesn't respond, we follow up at day 7 and day 14 — and help you build the evidence and paperwork for small claims if it comes to that. Real result: we helped Kathleen A. (Ohio) recover her full $3,000 deposit this way.

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Option	Price	Effort	Follow-up
Do it yourself	—	All of it	You chase
TenantNex	$39	Done for you	We chase
Small-claims services	$149–448	—	—
Hire an attorney	$300–2,000+	—	—

An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.

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We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.

Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days

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What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.