Maine Standard Residential Lease Agreement
The Maine Standard Residential Lease Agreement is an official document that outlines the terms and conditions both the landlord and tenant(s) agree to follow regarding the renting of an apartment, home, or room. Once the landlord and tenant(s) have signed the lease, the landlord will require the tenant to pay a security deposit. This serves as a form of insurance for the length of the lease, covering the cost of any damage to the property, missed payments, and other expenses the tenant can be potentially liable for. In Maine, the landlord is restricted to charging a maximum of two (2) months’ rent according to § 6032.
Tenant Screening: Maine Rental Application
Versions (4)
Version 1 – OpenDocs
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Version 2 – Attorney General Model Lease
Download: Adobe PDF
Version 3 – Maine Housing Authority
Download: Adobe PDF
Version 4
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
State Laws
Laws: §§ 6021 to 6030 “Rental Property”
Maximum Security Deposit (§ 6032): Two (2) months’ rent.
Returning Security Deposits (§ 6033): It is very important landlords in Maine have a clear understanding of their obligation to return security deposits at the end of the lease. If the landlord does not return the entire (or a portion of) the security deposit that the tenant is rightfully due within their time allotted (30 days), the tenant has the legal right to issue the landlord a seven (7) day notice (minimum) stating they will bring legal action regarding the missing deposit. The landlord has the time until legal action to return the deposit. If the deposit is not returned, and the landlord is found at fault, they will be required to pay double the security deposit that was initially owed, as stated by § 6034.
Law on Unfair Agreements (§ 6030): If a landlord has the intention of altering the lease offered on this site, they need to ensure any alterations of the contract keep the agreement fair for all parties.