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Security Deposit Return in Maine

September 27, 2026 · LawDiver Research Team

Start with Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, §§ 6031 to 6039. In Maine, The cap is 2 months' rent. The return deadline is 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession (up to 30 additional days if damage repairs are needed in some postures), with itemization. Interest: No general statewide interest requirement for ordinary tenancies. That is the question this guide answers for getting a security deposit back. Wrongful withholding can support double damages plus attorney fees under Maine’s security-deposit statutes.

Deposit limits in Maine

2 months' rent

When the deposit must be returned

30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession (up to 30 additional days if damage repairs are needed in some postures), with itemization

How the Maine rule applies

Apply the Maine authorities in order. The facts are simplified so the statute and the standard are visible.

A residential tenant moves out of a Maine rental and the landlord has not returned the deposit.

Check the cap that applied when the deposit was collected: 2 months' rent.
Calendar the return deadline: 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession (up to 30 additional days if damage repairs are needed in some postures), with itemization
Interest, if any: No general statewide interest requirement for ordinary tenancies.
If the landlord keeps money without the required accounting: Wrongful withholding can support double damages plus attorney fees under Maine’s security-deposit statutes.

Maine caps most residential security deposits at two months’ rent and requires timely return with an itemization. Double damages apply for wrongful withholding. Small claims is the usual forum.

Interest and accounting

No general statewide interest requirement for ordinary tenancies.

Penalties for wrongful withholding

Wrongful withholding can support double damages plus attorney fees under Maine’s security-deposit statutes.

Practical process for tenants and landlords

Maine caps most residential security deposits at two months’ rent and requires timely return with an itemization. Double damages apply for wrongful withholding. Small claims is the usual forum.

Document the unit with dated photos or video at move-in and move-out, keep the lease and any inspection checklist, and send a dated written demand if the deadline passes without a lawful accounting.

Case law: security deposits in Maine

Jack WITHERS Et Al. v. Robert HACKETT

Jack WITHERS Et Al. v. Robert HACKETT, 1998 Me. LEXIS 235 (1998)

…s also no evidence that the landlord required them to pay a security deposit of a greater amount than they would have been required to pay if Haekett had not made the statements. Moreover, they do not contend that the statement was of such a nature that it was actionable irrespective of special harm. [¶ 11] Unfortunately, the parties failed, in the verdict form, to request that…

Maine opinions such as Jack WITHERS Et Al. v. Robert HACKETT are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "Haekett had not made the statements. Moreover, they do not contend that the statement was of such a nature that it was actionable irrespective of special harm." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.

Andrea HARRIS Et Al. v. Joseph SOLEY Et Al.

Andrea HARRIS Et Al. v. Joseph SOLEY Et Al., 2000 Me. LEXIS 154 (2000)

…of contract, wrongful-eviction, and wrongful retention of a security deposit. The court set a discovery deadline of February 1, 1999. As discovery proceeded, Soley repeatedly failed to comply with appropriate discovery requests, failed to make the apartment available for inspection, and, later, failed to make witnesses available for deposition. Eventually, the tenants filed a m…

Practitioners open Andrea HARRIS Et Al. v. Joseph SOLEY Et Al. when Maine security deposits turns on the distinction in this sentence: "The court set a discovery deadline of February 1, 1999. As discovery proceeded, Soley repeatedly failed to comply with appropriate discovery requests, failed to make the apartment available for inspection, and, later, failed to make witnesses available for deposition." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.

Joseph SOLEY Et Al. v. Jeffrey KARLL Et Al.

Joseph SOLEY Et Al. v. Jeffrey KARLL Et Al., 2004 Me. LEXIS 97 (2004)

…provisions including an amount paid by Soley to Karll and a security deposit paid by Karll to Soley. *757 [¶ 4] In anticipation of the May 26 date by which Karll and G.O.N.E. were to vacate the premises, Soley marketed the premises through a real estate broker. Soley signed a three-year lease with a new tenant, Wharf Street Commissary, to operate a restaurant on the premises co…

Joseph SOLEY Et Al. v. Jeffrey KARLL Et Al. is worth reading on Maine security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "Soley to Karll and a security deposit paid by Karll to Soley. *757 [¶ 4] In anticipation of the May 26 date by which Karll and G.O.N.E. were to vacate the premises, Soley marketed the premises through a real estate broker." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.

MONOPOLY, INC. v. Charles ALDRICH Et Al.

MONOPOLY, INC. v. Charles ALDRICH Et Al., 1996 Me. LEXIS 214 (1996)

…on the issue of whether Monopoly wrongfully withheld their security deposit pursuant to 14 M.R.S.A. § 6034(2) (Supp.1995), (2) the denial of their motion pursuant to M.R.Civ.P. 12(c) for a judgment on the pleadings of Monopoly’s complaint, (3) the denial of their full attorney fees, and (4) the court’s granting of Monopoly’s motion *508 pursuant to M.R.Civ.P. 15(b) to amend it…

On security deposits, MONOPOLY, INC. v. Charles ALDRICH Et Al. speaks to the Maine dispute in this passage: "Monopoly wrongfully withheld their security deposit pursuant to 14 M.R.S.A. § 6034(2) (Supp.1995), (2) the denial of their motion pursuant to M.R.Civ.P." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.

Robert LYLE v. Donna Michele MANGAR

Robert LYLE v. Donna Michele MANGAR, 2011 Me. LEXIS 125 (2011)

…is case, we are asked to interpret the statutes that govern security deposits on residential rental units, 14 M.R.S. §§ 6031-6039 (2010), for the purpose of answering two questions: (1) may a landlord proceed on a claim to recover unpaid rent without first returning a tenant’s security deposit or providing a timely written statement of the reasons for retaining it, see id. § 60…

Maine opinions such as Robert LYLE v. Donna Michele MANGAR are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "M.R.S. §§ 6031-6039 (2010), for the purpose of answering two questions: (1) may a landlord proceed on a claim to recover unpaid rent without first returning a tenant’s security deposit or providing a timely written statement of the reasons for retaining it, see id." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.

Amy L. CANNEY v. STRATHGLASS HOLDINGS, LLC

Amy L. CANNEY v. STRATHGLASS HOLDINGS, LLC, 159 A.3d 330 (2017)

…delivering written ■ leases to tenants, collecting rent and security deposits, performing repairs, purchasing repair materials, painting, cutting grass, cleaning, and performing inspections of rental units. Burns was given a key to access Stra-thglass’s rental units for maintenance purposes. [¶ 4] Burns did not work from an external office; rather, Strathglass instructed tenant…

On security deposits, Amy L. CANNEY v. STRATHGLASS HOLDINGS, LLC speaks to the Maine dispute in this passage: "Burns was given a key to access Stra-thglass’s rental units for maintenance purposes." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.

James MANZO v. Marilynn REYNOLDS

James MANZO v. Marilynn REYNOLDS, 1984 Me. LEXIS 724 (1984)

…S PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.” The court stated, “Transfer fee is a security deposit as a matter of law,” and awarded the plaintiff $100 plus $10 in costs.2 The defendant appealed to the Superior Court pursuant to M.R.S.C.P. 11(a).3 A hearing, at which the plaintiff did not appear, was held on January 13,1984, and the court subsequently affirmed the judgment of the District Court. The…

Maine opinions such as James MANZO v. Marilynn REYNOLDS are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "S PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.” The court stated, “Transfer fee is a security deposit as a matter of law,” and awarded the plaintiff $100 plus $10 in costs.2 The defendant appealed to the Superior Court pursuant to M.R.S.C.P. 11(a)." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.

Carol A. KARANTZA v. Ralph SALAMONE

Carol A. KARANTZA v. Ralph SALAMONE, 1981 Me. LEXIS 983 (1981)

…he order limiting her recovery to the unpaid balance of her security deposit and denying double recovery, costs and fees. We affirm in part and vacate in part the summary judgment and remand to the Superior Court for resolution of remaining issues of fact. In March, 1980, plaintiff leased an apartment from defendant, posting a security deposit of $275.00. When the tenancy termi…

Carol A. KARANTZA v. Ralph SALAMONE is worth reading on Maine security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "We affirm in part and vacate in part the summary judgment and remand to the Superior Court for resolution of remaining issues of fact. In March, 1980, plaintiff leased an apartment from defendant, posting a security deposit of $275.00." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.

Key takeaways

Maximum deposit: 2 months' rent
Return deadline: 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession (up to 30 additional days if damage repairs are needed in some postures), with itemization
Interest: No general statewide interest requirement for ordinary tenancies.
Penalties: Wrongful withholding can support double damages plus attorney fees under Maine’s security-deposit statutes.
Primary authority: Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, §§ 6031 to 6039.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maine?