State Specific Question About: MAINE (ME)

From ME Maine has also enacted the following additional statutory protections for security deposits:

(1) A landlord may not make the tenant pay a security deposit of greater than an

amount equal to two months rent.

(2) The landlord must keep the tenant’s security deposit in a bank account separate

from the landlord’s other funds and protected in case of bankruptcy, foreclosure or

sale of the building. The landlord is not statutorily required to pay the tenant

interest on it. The tenant has the right to request the bank location and account

number in which the security deposit is being held.

(3) The landlord is required to return the tenant’s security deposit, or provide a written

statement for the reasons for keeping the deposit, within twenty-one days if the

tenant is a tenant-at-will. If the tenant is still within the initial term of the written

lease9 this period can be extended for as long as thirty days.

(4) If the landlord fails to return the tenant’s security deposit, or refuses to supply the

tenant with a written statement as to why the tenant’s money is being held, the

landlord gives up all legal rights to withhold any part of it.

(5) In order to receive back the security deposit the tenant should notify the landlord

by certified mail that the tenant intends to bring a legal action after seven days.

The landlord must return the whole deposit within the seven days in order to avoid

a lawsuit.

(6) If the landlord willfully refuses to return the deposit and fails to provide the

required itemized explanation, then the landlord can be held liable for double

damages, reasonable attorney’s fees, and court costs.