Deadlines & Notice Periods in Maine
Key timelines for tenant actions under ME law. Missing a deadline can forfeit your rights — verify dates with a local attorney.
Jurisdictional stack
- state Maine — viewing
- federal United States
Deadlines for Maine include the layers above. The federal layer (FHA, § 504, VAWA, SCRA) carries its own filing deadlines (typically 1 year for HUD complaints; 2 years for FHA private actions); the state layer governs landlord-tenant timelines like deposit returns and notice-to-cure periods.
Habitability 14 M.R.S. § 6021
| Action / Event | Timeline | Authority | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine treats 14 days from written notice as the floor for 'reasonable time' to repair | 14 days | 14 M.R.S. § 6021 | Prerequisite for filing |
Repair Maintenance 14 M.R.S. § 6026
| Action / Event | Timeline | Authority | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 M | 14 days | 14 M.R.S. § 6026 | Prerequisite for filing |
Security Deposit 14 M.R.S. § 6033
| Action / Event | Timeline | Authority | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landlord must return security deposit | 30 days after tenancy ends | 14 M.R.S. § 6033 | Forfeit Right To Retain Plus Double Damages If Wrongful |
| Return deposit (no written lease) | 21 days after tenancy ends | 14 M.R.S. § 6033 | Shorter window when no written rental agreement |