Free Maine Security Deposit Itemization
The written statement Maine landlords must give under 14 M.R.S. § 6033 before keeping any part of a deposit: within the written-agreement period (30 days at most) or 21 days for a tenancy at will, itemizing each reason, with the balance enclosed. Double damages under § 6034 for wrongful retention. Built for Maine landlords.
Free Maine Security Deposit Itemization — overview
The Security Deposit Itemization is the document that decides whether deductions are defensible or unsupported.
Maine puts the burden on the landlord. Under 14 M.R.S. § 6034(3), the landlord must prove that withholding any part of the deposit was not wrongful, and wrongful retention costs double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs. Missing the deadline, charging for normal wear and tear, sending the statement without the balance, or leaving an amount unsupported all expose the landlord, and a late statement forfeits the right to withhold anything. The form on this page handles the mechanics; the page walks through the deadlines, the reasons Maine allows, the wear-and-tear definition and mailing.
Return Window
21 / 30 days
Statement
Itemized reasons + balance
Wrongful Retention
2× amount withheld + fees
Statute
14 M.R.S. § 6033
Contents
- What this itemization does
- Maine legal framework — 14 M.R.S. §§ 6031–6038
- When and how to deliver
- Categories of deductible expenses
- Wear and tear vs. damage
- Documenting each reason for retention
- Required information for the document
- Common mistakes that expose landlords to damages
- Tenant rights and 14 M.R.S. § 6034 damages
- Maine statute reference table
- Frequently asked questions
A Maine Security Deposit Itemization is the written statement a landlord must give the tenant under 14 M.R.S. § 6033 when keeping any part of a security deposit. It itemizes the reasons for the retention and must be accompanied by full payment of the difference. For a written rental agreement it is due within the period the agreement states, which may not exceed 30 days; for a tenancy at will it is due within 21 days after the tenancy ends or the premises are surrendered and accepted, whichever is later. Nothing may be kept for normal wear and tear. A landlord who misses the deadline forfeits the right to withhold any portion, and wrongful retention makes the landlord liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney’s fees and costs under § 6034. The form on this page produces a complete itemized statement with a built-in deductions calculator; the rest of this guide walks through the legal framework, the deductible-versus-non-deductible standard, and the documentation requirements.
✎ Complete Your Maine Security Deposit Itemization
Fill in the parties, deposit details, and itemized deductions. The calculator computes totals and balance returned automatically. When done, click Generate PDF to download a complete itemized statement under 14 M.R.S. § 6033.
✓ Pre-Delivery Checklist
Before delivering the itemized statement and balance, verify:
What this itemization does
A Maine Security Deposit Itemization is the written statement a landlord must give a tenant under 14 M.R.S. § 6033 when keeping any part of a security deposit. It does three things at once.
First, it states the reasons. Section 6033(2) requires “a written statement itemizing the reasons for the retention of the security deposit or any portion of it.” A general line such as “deductions for cleaning and damage” is not an itemization. Each reason should stand on its own with its amount, described specifically enough that the tenant and a court can tell whether it is damage or normal wear and tear.
Second, it returns the balance. The written statement “must be accompanied by a full payment of the difference between the security deposit and the amount retained.” Sending the statement now and the money later does not satisfy that requirement.
Third, it meets the deadline. With a written rental agreement, the deadline is the period the agreement states, which may not exceed 30 days. With a tenancy at will, it is 21 days after the termination of the tenancy or the surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs later. If the landlord misses the deadline, § 6033(3) forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit.
The form on this page produces a complete itemized statement with a built-in deductions calculator, automatic balance computation, the Maine statutory reference and a mailing block. The remainder of this guide walks through the legal framework, the deductible-versus-non-deductible standard, and the documentation that supports each amount.
Maine legal framework — 14 M.R.S. §§ 6031–6038
Maine’s deposit rules are in Title 14, chapter 710-A, §§ 6031–6038, “Security Deposits on Residential Rental Units.” Section 6033 governs the return and the itemized statement; § 6034 supplies the tenant’s remedy; the surrounding sections define terms, cap the deposit and govern how it is held.
The provisions that matter for itemization
14 M.R.S. § 6033(1) — no retention for normal wear and tear. “A security deposit or any portion of a security deposit shall not be retained for the purpose of paying for normal wear and tear.” Section 6031(1) defines the term; the definition is discussed in section 5 below.
14 M.R.S. § 6033(2) — the statement, the balance and the deadline. The landlord returns the full deposit or, if there is actual cause for retaining any of it, provides a written statement itemizing the reasons, within the period stated in a written rental agreement (not to exceed 30 days) or, for a tenancy at will, within 21 days after termination or surrender and acceptance, whichever is later. The statement must be accompanied by full payment of the difference. Permitted reasons “include, but are not limited to,” the costs of storing and disposing of unclaimed property, nonpayment of rent, and nonpayment of utility charges the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord. Mailing the statement and payment to the tenant’s last known address is deemed compliance.
14 M.R.S. § 6033(3) — forfeiture. A landlord who fails to provide the written statement or to return the deposit within the time specified forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit.
14 M.R.S. § 6034 — wrongful retention. Before suing, the tenant gives at least 7 days’ notice of intent to bring an action; if the landlord does not return the entire deposit in that period, wrongful retention is presumed. Wrongful retention makes the landlord liable for double the amount of the portion wrongfully withheld, together with reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs, and the landlord has the burden of proving the withholding was not wrongful.
Other chapter 710-A rules that shape the statement
Deposit cap (§ 6032). A lease or tenancy at will may not require a deposit of more than the rent for 2 months. The statement starts from the deposit actually paid, so an over-cap deposit is a problem the itemization cannot cure.
Transfer on sale (§ 6035). When the landlord’s interest ends by sale, assignment, death, receivership or otherwise, the person holding the deposits must account for each deposit, transfer the funds (or any remainder after lawful deductions) to the successor with notice to the tenant, or return them to the tenant. On a sale, the accounting and transfer happen no later than the closing. After compliance, the successor holds the deposit with all of a landlord’s rights and obligations, including the § 6033 statement.
No waiver (§ 6036). A lease clause that waives any of these tenant protections is void, so a lease term such as “tenant forfeits the deposit if the lease is broken” or “no itemization required” does not change the § 6033 duties.
Exemptions (§ 6037). The chapter does not apply to a tenancy in a structure of no more than 5 dwelling units where the landlord occupies one of them, and provisions that conflict with a federally guaranteed mortgage do not apply to a lessor who is the mortgagor. Owners of small owner-occupied buildings should still itemize: it is the clearest record if a dispute is litigated on ordinary contract principles.
Move-out walk-throughs in Maine
Maine’s chapter 710-A does not create a pre-move-out inspection procedure or require a preliminary list of expected charges. A voluntary joint walk-through before the keys are returned is still good practice: it gives the tenant a chance to fix problems and gives both sides a shared record of the unit’s condition. It does not replace the written statement, which is still due within the § 6033(2) deadline. See our Maine Move-In/Move-Out Checklist guide for documenting condition at both ends of the tenancy.
Federal anti-discrimination overlay
Independent of chapter 710-A, the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.) and Maine’s fair housing law prohibit deposit-handling decisions that target tenants based on race, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, or other protected characteristics. A landlord who consistently charges higher cleaning amounts to families with children, or applies different deduction standards to tenants of certain backgrounds, invites a fair-housing claim with its own remedies, separate from § 6034.
When and how to deliver
The 21-day and 30-day clocks
Which clock applies depends on the tenancy. A tenancy at will runs on the 21-day clock, which starts at the termination of the tenancy or the surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs later. A written rental agreement runs on the period the agreement states, which the statute caps at 30 days. If the written agreement names no period, do not assume you have more than 30 days. Document the dates: the key return (photographs, a signed key receipt or walk-through form) and the date the tenancy ended.
Within that period the landlord must either return the full deposit or give the written statement accompanied by full payment of the difference. A statement sent on day 18 with the money sent on day 25 does not meet § 6033(2).
Worked example. A tenant at will gives notice, moves out on June 28 and returns the keys, and the landlord accepts the surrender on June 30. The later date controls, so the 21 days run from June 30 and the statement with the balance must be mailed by July 21. The deposit was $1,800. The landlord itemizes $140 to remove a couch and bagged trash left in the basement (abandoned articles, § 6031(1)), $220 to repair a door the tenant’s dog chewed (paid invoice kept), and $95 of unpaid electricity the lease required the tenant to pay directly to the landlord (bill kept). Total retained: $455. The statement and a check for $1,345 go by certified mail to the forwarding address on July 12, with a copy of the mailing receipt in the file. Had the same tenant held a one-year written lease saying “within 30 days,” the deadline would have been the 30-day period the lease states.
Method of delivery
Section 6033(2) provides a safe harbor: “The landlord is deemed to have complied with this section by mailing the statement and any payment required to the last known address of the tenant.” Certified mail with return receipt, or first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, gives proof of the date. Personal delivery with a signed acknowledgment also works. The statute does not address email, so an emailed copy should supplement the mailed statement and payment, not replace them.
Delivery address
Mail to the tenant’s forwarding address if the tenant gave one; otherwise to the last known address, which is often the rental unit itself. Mailing there meets the safe harbor even if the tenant has moved on without leaving an address.
What to do if you discover damage after delivery
Maine ties the right to withhold to a statement given within the § 6033(2) deadline, and a late statement forfeits it. Inspect thoroughly before sending, including appliances, closets and exterior areas the tenant used, and do not count on adding charges after the deadline passes.
Categories of deductible expenses
Section 6033(2) lists reasons a landlord may retain all or part of a deposit, and says the list “include[s], but [is] not limited to” them; § 6033(1) rules out normal wear and tear. The practical categories are these.
1. Unpaid rent
Nonpayment of rent is a listed reason. Document it with the lease (rent amount) and the rent ledger. Late fees depend on the lease terms; itemize any late fee as its own line so the tenant can see it.
2. Damage beyond normal wear and tear
Deterioration caused by negligence, carelessness, accident or abuse by the tenant, household members, invitees or guests (large holes, broken fixtures, pet damage, water damage from neglect, missing items) may be charged at the reasonable cost of repair or replacement. The wear-versus-damage standard is covered in section 5.
3. Cleaning and removal of abandoned articles
Under § 6031(1), normal wear and tear does not include the landlord’s costs of removing articles the tenant abandoned, such as trash. If the unit was leased in a habitable condition (or put in one during the tenancy), it also does not include sums needed to return the unit to a habitable condition, which may include cleaning, unless the need was caused by the landlord, events beyond the tenant’s control, or people outside the tenant’s household and guests. Itemize what was cleaned or removed and its cost.
4. Utilities, unclaimed property and other obligations
Utility charges the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord, and the costs of storing and disposing of unclaimed property, are listed reasons. Other amounts the tenant owes under the rental agreement may also be itemized, since the list is not exhaustive, but each needs a stated reason and an amount the landlord can prove.
What you cannot deduct: normal wear and tear as defined in § 6031(1), routine repainting or carpet cleaning between tenancies without specific damage, repairs to conditions that existed before the tenancy, the landlord’s own maintenance obligations, costs of re-leasing the unit (advertising, commissions), or anything at all once the § 6033(2) deadline has passed without a statement.
Wear and tear vs. damage — the standard
The wear-versus-damage distinction is the single most important analytical question in security deposit deductions, and the most common source of deposit disputes. Maine’s statute draws the line in § 6031(1): deterioration from negligence, carelessness, accident or abuse can be charged; normal wear and tear cannot. The challenge is identifying which side of the line a given condition falls on.
The statutory definition — 14 M.R.S. § 6031(1)
Normal wear and tear is “the deterioration that occurs, based upon the use for which the rental unit is intended, without negligence, carelessness, accident or abuse of the premises or equipment or chattels by the tenant or members of the tenant’s household or their invitees or guests.” In practice that is the unavoidable consequence of habitation: paint that fades from sunlight, carpet that flattens in high-traffic areas, minor scuffs on walls from furniture and movement, small nail holes from picture hanging, light scratches on hardwood floors, and mineral deposits in bathroom fixtures from normal water use.
Damage is deterioration beyond normal wear caused by the tenant’s negligence, abuse, intentional acts, or pets. Examples: large holes in walls (more than nail-hole size), broken windows, broken fixtures, broken cabinets, pet stains in carpet, pet odor in subfloor or padding, water damage from unreported leaks, smoke damage, missing items, significant cleaning needs from food spills or hoarding, structural damage of any kind.
Borderline cases — and how to resolve them
Most disputes are not at the extremes; they are in the borderline. A few common borderline scenarios with the Maine analysis:
Carpet replacement. Carpets have a useful life of approximately 8–10 years. If a carpet was new at the start of a 5-year tenancy and is replaced at lease end, the replacement is at least 50% wear-and-tear and not chargeable. Even if the carpet has visible stains from the tenant, the landlord can typically charge only the portion of the carpet’s remaining useful life consumed by the damage — not the full replacement cost. A useful-life proration is the defensible approach; charging full replacement value for normal-end-of-life carpets routinely fails in court.
Repainting. Paint has a useful life of approximately 2–4 years for residential rentals. A tenant of three years cannot generally be charged for repainting at lease end if the paint shows only normal wear; the paint had a planned replacement in that timeframe. If the tenant caused specific damage (large stains, holes, smoke discoloration), the cost of repairing the specific damage is chargeable, but full repainting of a unit that was already due for repaint is not.
Cleaning. Under § 6031(1), if the unit was leased in a habitable condition, normal wear and tear does not include sums needed to return it to a habitable condition, which may include cleaning, unless the need was caused by the landlord or by people or events outside the tenant’s household and guests. Heavy grease, pet contamination, smoke residue, hoarding cleanup and trash removal of abandoned articles are chargeable; light dust from ordinary living is not.
Pet damage. Pet stains in carpet, scratches on doors and floors from pet claws, urine smell in subfloor or padding, and damage to walls from pets are all chargeable as damage. The deduction is for the specific damage, not for general wear of the unit.
Documentation that supports a wear-versus-damage finding
The strongest evidentiary record consists of: a signed move-in checklist with date-stamped photographs, a signed move-out checklist with parallel photographs from the same angles, invoices or estimates that specifically describe what was charged, and (for older items) a useful-life calculation showing the proration. Because § 6034(3) puts the burden of proof on the landlord, this record is what supports a borderline charge.
Documenting each reason for retention
Maine’s statute requires a written statement itemizing the reasons for retention; it sets no receipts threshold and does not require receipts to be attached. What drives documentation in Maine is the burden of proof: in a tenant’s action, “the landlord has the burden of proving that the landlord’s withholding of the security deposit, or any portion of it, was not wrongful” (§ 6034(3)).
Invoices for completed work
If the work is done, keep the vendor’s paid invoice showing the vendor, the date, the work and the amount. Attaching a copy to the statement is not required, but it answers the tenant’s obvious question before it turns into a demand letter.
Estimates for work not yet done
If the repair will happen after the deadline, itemize it at a written estimate from the contractor who will do it, and keep the estimate. Because the statement and the balance must go out together within the § 6033(2) period, the estimate is how an unfinished repair gets onto a timely statement.
The landlord’s own labor
Where the landlord does the work, record the hours, the task and a reasonable rate (for example, by reference to comparable contractor rates). “8 hours at $25/hour to patch and paint two bedroom walls, time log kept” is supportable; “$200, my time” is not.
Practical implications
Each line on the statement should be traceable to evidence:
- Damage, work completed: describe the item and amount; keep the paid invoice and photographs.
- Damage, work not yet done: describe the item; use and keep a written estimate.
- Unpaid rent or utilities: keep the ledger and the bills the tenant was required to pay to the landlord.
- Unclaimed property: keep the storage and disposal costs and the notices given.
The most common weakness is an amount the landlord cannot prove. Under § 6034(3), an unproven withholding is a wrongful one, and wrongful retention doubles the amount at stake.
Required information for the document
14 M.R.S. § 6033 does not prescribe a form, but its requirements (itemized reasons, the balance enclosed, a timely mailing) together with the landlord’s burden of proof establish a minimum set of elements the document should contain.
Header information
The parties. Full landlord name (or property management company), full tenant names (all tenants on the lease), property address, and the dates of tenancy (lease start, vacate date). Without these, the document cannot be authenticated as the statement for this tenancy.
Deposit information
The deposit total. The original security deposit amount. If the tenant also prepaid a “last month’s rent,” list it separately and show how it was applied; under § 6031(2) an advance whose primary function is to secure the tenancy is a security deposit whatever it is called.
Itemized deductions
Each reason listed separately with: a specific description (not “cleaning” but “removal of abandoned furniture and trash from basement”), the amount, the category (damage, cleaning, unpaid rent, utilities, unclaimed property) and a reference to the evidence you are keeping for it.
Calculation
The total of deductions, the deposit balance returned (deposit minus deductions, if positive), or the additional amount owed by the tenant (if deductions exceed deposit). Show the math; do not just give the bottom-line balance.
Attached documentation
Invoices, estimates, ledgers and photographs for each amount. The statute does not require them to be attached, but the landlord carries the burden of proof, so assemble them now. Move-in and move-out checklists, if available, should be referenced and (best practice) attached.
Delivery and signature
Method of delivery (mail to the last known address, with any certified or certificate-of-mailing record), date of mailing, the address used, landlord signature with printed name and title, and date.
Common mistakes that expose landlords to damages
Most Maine deposit disputes turn less on the underlying merits than on procedure and proof: whether the statement went out on time with the balance, whether each reason was itemized, and whether the landlord can prove each amount. These are the recurring problems.
Vague reasons
“Cleaning.” “Wall repair.” “General damage.” These do not itemize the reasons for retention. Specific reasons do: “Oven and range degreasing, $85.” “Patch and repaint two 4-inch holes in living room wall, $145.” Specific reasons let the tenant and the court judge whether a charge is damage or wear.
Charges for normal wear and tear
Charging to repaint a 3-year-old paint job, to replace an 8-year-old carpet with ordinary wear, or to patch small picture-hanging nail holes is retention for normal wear and tear, which § 6033(1) prohibits.
Amounts the landlord cannot prove
A $300 carpet charge with no invoice, estimate or photograph leaves the landlord unable to carry the § 6034(3) burden of proving the withholding was not wrongful.
Missing the deadline
Know which clock applies: the written-agreement period (30 days at most) or 21 days for a tenancy at will. Under § 6033(3), a late statement forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit.
Sending the statement without the balance
Section 6033(2) requires the statement to be accompanied by full payment of the difference. Holding the balance “until the tenant agrees” does not comply.
Relying on email alone
The statute’s safe harbor is mailing the statement and payment to the last known address. Email is not addressed, so use it only as a courtesy copy.
Ignoring the tenant’s 7-day notice
Under § 6034(1), a tenant who has not received the deposit and statement on time must give at least 7 days’ notice before suing. If the landlord does not return the entire deposit within that period, wrongful retention is presumed. Treat that notice as the last chance to resolve the dispute.
Tenant rights and 14 M.R.S. § 6034 damages
Maine tenants have several rights tied to the deposit return process, and meaningful remedies when those rights are violated. Understanding them is the landlord’s clearest motivation for procedural compliance.
Right to the deposit or an itemized statement with the balance on time
Within the written-agreement period (30 days at most) or 21 days for a tenancy at will, the tenant is entitled to the full deposit or a written statement itemizing the reasons for any retention, accompanied by the balance. If the landlord misses the deadline, the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any portion (§ 6033(3)).
Right to have the landlord prove each withholding
In a tenant’s action, the landlord has the burden of proving that withholding the deposit, or any portion of it, was not wrongful (§ 6034(3)).
Double damages under 14 M.R.S. § 6034(2)
Wrongful retention makes the landlord liable for double the amount of the portion wrongfully withheld, together with reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs. If $600 of a $1,500 deposit is found to have been wrongfully withheld, the landlord owes $1,200 plus the tenant’s fees and costs. The tenant must first give at least 7 days’ notice of intent to sue; failure to return the entire deposit in that period creates a presumption of wrongful retention (§ 6034(1)).
Separate-account rule under § 6038
A deposit may not be commingled with the landlord’s assets and must be held in a bank or other financial institution account beyond the claims of the landlord’s creditors. On request, the landlord must disclose the institution and account number. A violation entitles the tenant to actual damages, $500 or one month’s rent (whichever is greatest), plus costs, and the court may award attorney’s fees.
Small claims jurisdiction
Many Maine deposit disputes are heard in small claims court. For actions under the version of 14 M.R.S. § 7482 effective January 1, 2026, a small claim covers a debt or damage up to $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs (the limit was $6,000 before that date). Small claims procedure is informal and the tenant does not need a lawyer, so the documentation packet carries most of the weight.
Anti-retaliation framework
Maine’s retaliation rule (14 M.R.S. § 6001) operates in eviction cases: in a forcible entry and detainer action there is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if, within 6 months before the action, the tenant engaged in protected activity such as complaining to a code authority. A deposit dispute that becomes part of an eviction fight should be reviewed with counsel with that presumption in mind.
Attorney’s fees
Section 6034(2) adds reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs to the double-damages award, and § 6038(2) allows the court to award attorney’s fees for an account violation. Fees in a contested case can exceed the deposit itself, which is why a clean, timely statement matters.
Bottom line for landlords. A timely itemized statement, mailed with the balance and backed by evidence for every amount, is the cheapest protection available against deposit litigation. The documentation takes a few hours; getting it wrong can cost double the amount withheld plus the tenant’s attorney’s fees. The form on this page handles the mechanics; the analysis above is the legal context.
Maine statute reference table
| Provision | Subject | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 14 M.R.S. § 6031(1) | Normal wear and tear defined | Deterioration from intended use without negligence, carelessness, accident or abuse; excludes abandoned-article removal and (for a habitable unit) sums to restore habitability |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6031(2) | Security deposit defined | Any advance or deposit, however named, whose primary function is to secure performance of the lease or tenancy at will |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6032 | Maximum deposit | No more than the rent for 2 months |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6033(1) | Wear and tear | No portion of a deposit retained to pay for normal wear and tear |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6033(2) | Return and itemized statement | Written agreement: period stated, not over 30 days; tenancy at will: 21 days after termination or surrender and acceptance, whichever is later; statement accompanied by the balance; mailing to last known address is compliance |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6033(3) | Forfeiture | Late statement or return forfeits the right to withhold any portion |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6034 | Wrongful retention | Tenant’s 7-day notice; presumption; double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney’s fees and costs; landlord bears the burden of proof |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6035 | Transfer of deposit | Accounting and transfer to successor (at closing on a sale) with notice to the tenant, or return to the tenant |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6037 | Exemptions | Owner-occupied buildings of 5 or fewer units; conflicts with federally guaranteed mortgages |
| 14 M.R.S. § 6038 | Treatment of deposit | Separate account beyond creditors; disclose institution and account on request; actual damages, $500 or one month’s rent (greatest), costs, possible fees |
| 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq. | Federal Fair Housing Act | Federal-level fair housing protections in deposit-handling decisions |
Maine statute citations are to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14, chapter 710-A, as currently in effect. Local ordinances may layer additional requirements on top of state law and should be consulted independently for properties in covered cities.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Maine landlord have to return the security deposit?
What must the written statement contain?
Does Maine require receipts for deductions?
What counts as normal wear and tear in Maine?
Can the landlord charge for cleaning?
What are the penalties for wrongful retention in Maine?
Can the landlord charge for repainting?
What if the tenant did not provide a forwarding address?
Can the landlord deliver the itemized statement by email?
What if the deductions exceed the deposit?
Are there other Maine deposit rules the itemization depends on?
How long should I retain the documents?
Stop deposit disputes before they start.
Security deposit disputes are a steady source of Maine small-claims litigation, and the procedural defects that cost landlords are almost always preventable. Careful tenant screening helps you choose applicants with a record of meeting their obligations. A clean lease sets clear expectations. Move-in documentation creates a baseline. A specific, timely itemized statement mailed with the balance supports each deduction. Each piece of the chain reduces deposit-related risk.
When to consult a Maine landlord-tenant attorney
Many Maine deposit disputes are routine small-claims matters decided on the documentation. If the deduction amount is significant, the tenant has sent a 7-day notice of intent to sue, the tenant has raised retaliation or fair-housing claims, the deductions involve specialized work (mold remediation, structural repair, lead paint), or the tenant has hired counsel, consult a Maine landlord-tenant attorney before giving the itemized statement under 14 M.R.S. § 6033. An attorney's review at the right moment costs far less than defending a § 6034 claim for double the amount withheld plus the tenant's attorney's fees.
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Sources cited on this page
- 14 M.R.S. §§ 6031–6038 (Security Deposits on Residential Rental Units — definitions, cap, return and itemized statement, wrongful retention, transfer, exemptions, account)
- 14 M.R.S. § 6001 (presumption of retaliation in forcible entry and detainer actions)
- 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (small claims defined; $10,000 limit effective January 1, 2026)
- 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq. (federal Fair Housing Act)
- Maine state fair housing law
- Local ordinances (varies by city)
This form and the accompanying guidance are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Maine landlord-tenant law has technical requirements that can change with legislation and case law. The return and itemized-statement rules (14 M.R.S. § 6033), the wear-and-tear definition (§ 6031), wrongful-retention damages (§ 6034) and the account rules (§ 6038) depend on facts and case-specific circumstances that this general guidance cannot fully address. Always verify current requirements with the applicable Maine statutes or a qualified Maine landlord-tenant attorney before relying on this itemized statement in any contested deposit-deduction situation. Review Maine security deposit laws.
