🏠 Maine Leasing Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide for Landlords

Navigating the rental landscape in Maine requires landlords to be well-versed in state-specific laws to ensure compliance and foster positive landlord-tenant relationships. This guide outlines the essential documents and actions landlords must undertake when leasing residential properties in Maine.

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📄 Essential Documents to Provide Tenants

1. Written Lease Agreement
   While verbal agreements are legally binding in Maine, it’s highly recommended to have a written lease. The Maine Attorney General offers a Model Landlord-Tenant Lease that serves as a valuable template. Although we would always recommend a lease that goes a bit further and is tailored to your management practices and proceedures and has been vetted by a Maine Lawyer.
2. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
   For properties built before 1978, landlords must:
   • Disclose any known lead-based paint hazards.
   • Provide tenants with the EPA pamphlet “Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.”
   • Include a lead warning statement in the lease.
3. Energy Efficiency Disclosure Statement
   Before signing a lease or accepting a deposit, landlords must:
   • Provide tenants with an energy efficiency disclosure statement.
   • Obtain the tenant’s signature on the statement.
   • Retain a copy for three years. southportland.gov+2Maine Housing+2City of Bath+2
4. Radon Test Results
   Landlords are required to:
   • Test the air in rental units for radon every 10 years.
   • Provide tenants with a copy of the test results.
   • Inform tenants of their right to conduct independent radon testing. Maine State Legislature+2Maine Housing+2Azibo+2Maine State Legislature+2Legal Templates+2Steadily | Landlord Insurance+2
5. Smoking Policy Disclosure
   Landlords must:
   • Provide written notice about the smoking policy on the premises.
   • Specify whether smoking is prohibited, allowed, or restricted to certain areas.
   • Deliver this notice before lease signing or deposit acceptance. Maine Housing
6. Security Deposit Receipt
   Upon receiving a security deposit, landlords should:
   • Provide a written receipt detailing the amount and date received.
   • Disclose the name and location of the financial institution where the deposit is held. Maine State Legislature

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🛠️ Landlord Responsibilities and Actions

1. Maintain Habitability
   Landlords must ensure rental units are safe and habitable, which includes:
   • Providing adequate heating, plumbing, and electrical systems.
   • Ensuring structural integrity and weatherproofing.
   • Addressing pest infestations promptly. Maine State Legislature
2. Install Safety Devices
   At the commencement of tenancy, landlords are obligated to:
   • Install functioning smoke detectors.
   • Install carbon monoxide detectors.
   • Repair or replace detectors upon written notice from tenants. Maine Housing
3. Provide Notice Before Entry
   Except in emergencies, landlords must:
   • Give tenants at least 24 hours’ notice before entering the rental unit.
   • Enter only at reasonable times.
4. Adhere to Rent Increase Protocols
   For month-to-month tenancies:
   • Provide 45 days’ notice for rent increases of 10% or less.
   • Provide 75 days’ notice for increases exceeding 10%.
5. Handle Security Deposits Appropriately
   Landlords must:
   • Return security deposits within 30 days of lease termination, or within 21 days for a Tenancy at Will.
   • Provide an itemized list of any deductions.
   • Not charge more than two months’ rent as a security deposit. Maine State Legislature+1Maine State Legislature+1Maine State LegislatureSteadily | Landlord Insurance