§6000. Definitions (CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES) As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2015, c. 293, §1 (NEW).] 1. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/01/23) Domestic violence. “Domestic violence” means conduct described in Title 17‑A, chapters 9, 11, 12 and 13; Title 17‑A, […]
§6001. Availability of remedy 1. Persons against whom process may be maintained. Process of forcible entry and detainer may be maintained against a disseisor who has not acquired any claim by possession and improvement; against a tenant holding under a written lease or contract or person holding under such a tenant; against a tenant where […]
§6002. Tenancy at will; buildings on land of another Tenancies at will must be terminated by either party by a minimum of 30 days’ notice, except as provided in subsections 2 and 4, in writing for that purpose given to the other party, but if the landlord or the landlord’s agent has made at least […]
§6003. Jurisdiction The District Court shall have jurisdiction of cases of forcible entry and detainer. The court shall schedule and hold the hearing as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 days after the return day except that the court may grant a continuance for good cause shown. Any defendant requesting a recorded […]
§6004-A. Mediation The court may, in any residential tenancy under this subchapter, at any time refer the parties to mediation on any issue. [PL 2007, c. 246, §2 (NEW); PL 2007, c. 246, §6 (AFF).] 1. Mediated agreement. An agreement reached by the parties through mediation must be reduced to writing, signed by the […]
§6004. Commencement of action 1. Summons and complaint; service. The process of forcible entry and detainer must be commenced and service made in the same manner as other civil actions, except that if at least 3 good faith efforts on 3 different days have been made to serve the defendant, service may be accomplished by […]
§6005. Writ of possession; service When the defendant is defaulted or fails to show sufficient cause, judgment must be rendered against the defendant by the District Court for possession of the premises. Seven calendar days after the judgment is entered, the court shall issue the writ of possession to remove the defendant. The writ may […]
§6006. Claim of title (REPEALED) SECTION HISTORY PL 1995, c. 448, §1 (RP).
§6007. Allegation that defendant’s claim is frivolous (REPEALED) SECTION HISTORY PL 1995, c. 448, §1 (RP).
§6008. Appeal 1. Right to appeal. Either party may appeal on questions of law from a judgment to the Superior Court as in other civil actions. Either party may appeal on any issue triable by right by a jury to a trial de novo in the Superior Court as provided in this section. The time […]
§6009. Judgment for plaintiff; possession on recognizance; damages (REPEALED) SECTION HISTORY PL 1979, c. 172, §2 (RPR). PL 1995, c. 448, §3 (RP).
§6010-A. Landlord’s duty to mitigate 1. Scope of section. If a tenant unjustifiably moves from the premises prior to the effective date for termination of the tenant’s tenancy and defaults in payment of rent, or if the tenant is removed for failure to pay rent or any other breach of a lease or tenancy at […]
§6010. Sums due for rent and damages Sums due for rent on leases under seal or otherwise and claims for damages to premises rented may be recovered in an action, specifying the items and amount claimed, but no action shall be maintained for any sum or sums claimed to be due for rental or for […]
§6011. House of ill fame; lease void at landlord’s option When the tenant of a dwelling house is convicted of keeping it as a house of ill fame, the lease or contract by which he occupies it may, at the option of the landlord, be deemed void and the landlord shall have the same remedy […]
§6012. Personal property (REPEALED) SECTION HISTORY PL 1973, c. 428 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 231 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 448, §4 (RPR). PL 2001, c. 133, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 245, §5 (RP).
§6013. Property unclaimed by tenant Any personal property that remains in a rental unit after entry of judgment in favor of the landlord or that is abandoned or unclaimed by a tenant following the tenant’s vacating the rental unit must be disposed of as follows. [PL 2011, c. 405, §4 (AMD).] 1. Place in […]
§6014. Remedies for illegal evictions 1. Illegal evictions. Except as permitted by Title 15, chapter 517 or Title 17, chapter 91, evictions that are effected without resort to the provisions of this chapter are illegal and against public policy. Illegal evictions include, but are not limited to, the following. A. No landlord may willfully […]
§6015. Notice of rent increase Rent charged for residential estates may be increased by the lessor only after providing at least 45 days’ written notice to the tenant. A written or oral waiver of this requirement is against public policy and is void. Any person in violation of this section is liable for the return […]
§6016-A. Sexual harassment prohibited; Maine Human Rights Act A landlord or a landlord’s agent may not subject a tenant to sexual harassment. [PL 2019, c. 351, §4 (NEW).] Nothing in this subchapter limits the application of the Maine Human Rights Act. [PL 2019, c. 351, §4 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2019, c. 351, […]
§6016. Rent increase limitation Rent charged for residential estates may not be increased if the dwelling unit is in violation of the warranty of habitability. Any violation caused by the tenant, his family, guests or invitees shall not bar a rent increase. A written or oral waiver of this requirement is against public policy and […]
