Maine landlord entry: reasonable notice, a 24-hour presumption and a $250 damages floor

How does Maine's presumption work?

Maine does not set 24 hours as a requirement. It sets it as the presumed measure of reasonable notice. A landlord who gives it starts ahead, while a landlord who gives less must show why less was still reasonable. The statute names no hours of the day, only "reasonable times."

The tenant's duty is the familiar one: do not unreasonably refuse entry to inspect, make needed or agreed repairs or improvements, supply agreed services, or show the unit to buyers, lenders, prospective tenants or workers.

What are the exceptions?

Emergencies are excluded from the notice requirement, as is a situation where notice is impracticable. Maine also has an animal welfare exception: if an animal's welfare is at risk (the subject of section 6025-A), entry is allowed without 24 hours' notice.

What can a Maine tenant collect?

If the landlord enters unlawfully, enters lawfully but unreasonably, or makes repeated demands for entry that harass the tenant, the tenant may recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, and may seek an injunction. Reasonable attorney's fees are available if the tenant wins a judgment after a contested hearing.

Example a made-up landlord in Portland walks into a tenant's apartment without any notice to check on a rumor. The tenant's actual loss is nothing. The statute still allows the greater of that loss or $250, so the floor is $250 plus a possible injunction and fees.

Any tenant agreement waiving these rights is against public policy and is void.

What about changed locks?

A tenant who changes the lock must tell the landlord and give a duplicate key within 48 hours. A victim as defined in section 6000 may change locks at their own expense but must provide a key within 72 hours. If a tenant changes a lock without providing a key, the landlord may enter in an emergency by reasonable means and charge for resulting damage, and if the tenant refuses to provide a key the landlord may end the tenancy with 7 days' notice.

Using the presumption well

A presumption is only helpful if you can show you met it. Keep the message that gave 24 hours or more, the stated reason and the time the visit began. Choose reasonable times: Maine does not list hours, so an ordinary weekday window is the safe assumption. Be careful with repeated visits for one problem. Three entries in a week for the same complaint can read as the repeated demands the statute describes, even when each visit looks fine by itself. When work needs several trips, say so in the first notice. And remember the damages floor: a $250 minimum plus possible fees makes a casual unannounced entry more expensive than a phone call would have been.

If the tenant disputes a visit afterward, answer in writing and stay factual: the date and hour of your notice, the reason, the time of entry and who was present. Avoid arguing about motive. A calm, complete reply tends to end the matter, and if it does not, the same record is what you would hand to an attorney. Remember that the waiver rule means a lease line cannot change any of this.

How DoorKeeping fits in Maine

DoorKeeping keeps each message you send a Maine tenant in a thread tied to the unit, so the notice, its date and the tenant's reply sit next to the lease and the work order. A dated message is the evidence a 24-hour presumption relies on. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current statute and your lease before you act.

Sources

1. Maine Revised Statutes Title 14, Section 6025, Access to premises (Maine Legislature), read Oct 30, 2026

Questions

Is 24 hours required in Maine?

No. The law requires reasonable notice and presumes 24 hours is reasonable unless evidence shows otherwise.

What can a Maine tenant recover for improper entry?

Actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, an injunction, and attorney's fees after a contested hearing.

Can a Maine lease waive the tenant's entry rights?

No. A waiver is against public policy and void.