How to evict a tenant in Maine: steps and timeline

What notice does Maine require?

Under 14 M.R.S. 6002, a tenancy at will is ended by either side with at least 30 days' written notice. If the tenant has paid rent through a date after the 30 days would expire, the notice must expire on or after the date through which rent is paid. The notice must include language that tells the tenant they have the right to contest the termination in court. Leaving that language out is not grounds to dismiss the case, but it can be grounds to set aside a default judgment if the tenant does not show up. A 30-day termination is not affected by receiving money, whether owed or for current use and occupation, until a writ of possession issues.

Subsection 1 lets you end the tenancy with 7 days' written notice if you can show by affirmative proof one of the listed causes, among them that the tenant is 7 days or more in arrears in rent, that the tenant or the tenant's family or invitee caused substantial damage that was not repaired before the notice, that the tenant caused or permitted a nuisance or violated the law regarding the tenancy, or that the person in the unit is not an authorized occupant. The notice must say the specific ground. For rent arrears it must state the amount in arrears as of the notice date and include the statute's wording that the notice is void if the tenant pays the rent due before it expires, and that the tenancy will be reinstated if the tenant pays all arrears, rent due and the fees you paid before the writ issues. A clerical error, such as a wrong amount, does not invalidate the notice if you can show it was unintentional.

If you have made at least three good faith efforts to hand the notice to the tenant, you may serve it by mailing it by first class mail to the tenant's last known address and leaving it at the tenant's last and usual place of abode.

Can the tenant stop the eviction by paying?

Yes, for rent. Section 6002(1) says a tenant who is 7 days or more in arrears and pays the full amount of rent due before the 7-day notice expires voids the notice. After that, in a residential tenancy at will, if the tenant pays all rental arrears, all rent due as of the date of payment and any filing and service of process fees you actually spent, before the writ issues, the tenancy must be reinstated and no writ may issue (also 6005). Payment or written assurance of payment through the general assistance program counts the same as cash. A tenant can also raise a breach of the warranty of habitability as a defense to a nonpayment case if you knew of the problem and did not act promptly (6002(3)).

How does the court case work?

You file a forcible entry and detainer case in the District Court against a tenant at will whose tenancy ended under 6002 (6001). When there are several occupants, naming "all other occupants" plus every adult on the lease or whose tenancy you accepted by taking rent makes the case effective against all of them. Service is as in other civil cases, except that after at least three good faith efforts on three different days you may serve by mailing the summons and complaint by first class mail and leaving them at the tenant's last and usual place of abode, with an affidavit to the court (6004(1)). A residential tenant must also receive a one- or two-page court form notice that explains the process, rental assistance, legal help and the right to ask for mediation (6004(2)). I did not find a statutory hearing date for these cases, so ask the clerk of your District Court for the schedule.

How long until the tenant is out?

When the tenant defaults or fails to show sufficient cause, the court enters judgment for possession. Seven calendar days after judgment, the court issues the writ of possession, which a sheriff or constable serves (14 M.R.S. 6005). After at least three good faith attempts on three different days, service may be made by mailing the writ and leaving it at the tenant's usual place of abode. If the tenant does not remove themselves or their possessions within 48 hours of service by the officer, the tenant is a trespasser and the goods are treated as abandoned and handled under section 6013, which requires safe storage and has its own notice steps.

Which mistakes cost a Maine landlord time?

• Using a 7-day notice when the tenant is less than 7 days in arrears. The cause in 6002(1)(C) is 7 days or more.
• Leaving out the arrears amount or the statute's wording about voiding and reinstatement on a rent notice.
• Leaving out the language about the right to contest the termination. A missing line can let a tenant who skips the hearing set aside a default judgment.
• Refusing to take the reinstatement payment, then asking for a writ. The statute says the tenancy must be reinstated and no writ may issue.

Example a made-up landlord hands the 7-day notice for rent arrears to the tenant on Monday, November 9, 2026. If the tenant pays what the notice lists before it expires on Monday, November 16, the notice is void. If the case goes on and the court enters judgment on Monday, December 7, the writ issues on Monday, December 14. If an officer serves it on Tuesday, December 15, the tenant has until Thursday, December 17 to remove people and belongings before the goods are treated as abandoned.

What can a Maine landlord never do?

Section 6014 says an eviction without using the court process is illegal. A landlord may not willfully interrupt or end utility service, including water, heat, light, electricity, gas, sewer, elevator or refrigeration, whether or not the landlord controls it, except for temporary repair or emergency. A landlord may not willfully seize, hold or deny the tenant access to and possession of the rented premises or the tenant's property except through proper judicial process. On a finding of illegal eviction, the tenant can recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, and costs and reasonable attorney fees.

How DoorKeeping handles it

DoorKeeping keeps each property's lease, rent ledger and the notices you send in one place, which is the paper trail a court asks for. You still serve the notice and file the case yourself. DoorKeeping gives general information, not legal advice. If a case is contested, or the tenant files an answer, talk to a local attorney.

Sources

1. 14 M.R.S. 6001 (Availability of remedy), read Oct 30, 2026
2. 14 M.R.S. 6002 (Tenancy at will; 30-day and 7-day notices), read Oct 30, 2026
3. 14 M.R.S. 6004 (Commencement of action), read Oct 30, 2026
4. 14 M.R.S. 6005 (Writ of possession; service), read Oct 30, 2026
5. 14 M.R.S. 6013 and 6014 (Unclaimed property; illegal evictions), read Oct 30, 2026

Questions

How much notice do I give a Maine tenant who is behind on rent?

Seven days' written notice if the tenant is 7 days or more in arrears, stating the amount and the statute's wording (14 M.R.S. 6002(1) and (2)). A no-cause termination of a tenancy at will takes 30 days.

Can a Maine tenant keep the home by paying the rent?

Yes. If the tenant pays all arrears, rent due and your filing and service fees before the writ issues, the tenancy must be reinstated and no writ may issue.

How long after judgment does the Maine writ issue?

Seven calendar days after judgment, and the tenant has 48 hours after service of the writ before the goods are treated as abandoned (6005).