Legislative Updates Affecting Landlords in Maine: What Property Owners Should Know

Reviewed September 8, 2026. This owner checklist replaces an earlier summary that described a proposed bill as an emerging rule and incorrectly suggested Maine allows only one rent increase each year. It is general information, not a complete legal update or legal advice.

Check the notice period before changing rent

Maine's rent and recurring-fee notice statute, 14 M.R.S. §6015, generally requires at least 45 days' written notice. A rent increase of 10% or more generally requires 75 days. Multiple increases are added together over 12 months for that threshold. The section contains exceptions for certain restricted or subsidized housing; it does not impose a universal once-a-year limit.

Before sending a notice, review the lease, earlier increases, housing-program requirements, and the property's municipal rules with a Maine attorney. A statewide notice period is not permission to disregard a fixed-term lease or a stricter local rule.

Keep security deposits separate

Section 6038 addresses segregation and protection of security deposits. Do not assume that putting a deposit in an owner-named operating account satisfies the law. Chapter 710-A also covers limits, returns, transfers, remedies, and exemptions.

Include moisture problems in your maintenance process

Public Law Chapter 515, LD 1927, became law without the Governor's signature on January 11, 2026. It adds habitability provisions for mold and other biological growth resulting from leaks or chronic moisture conditions outside a tenant's control. Have counsel confirm applicable effective dates and requirements for your property.

Operationally, log the first report, investigate the moisture source, document access and repairs, and follow up on whether the underlying problem was resolved. Closing a work order is not the same as confirming that a leak has stopped.

Make compliance a repeatable process

Maintain a lease calendar, a deposit ledger, written maintenance records, and a clear escalation route for legal questions. When switching managers, request those records as part of the handoff rather than reconstructing them later.

SMC helps Central Maine rental owners organize leasing, resident communication, maintenance, and reporting. Compare our property management services and fees or request a rental evaluation. Legal representation and a property-specific compliance opinion are separate from a management quote.