Maine Rent Increase Notice Letter

State Cap: No statute. Maine has no statewide limit on rent increase amounts, though local municipalities (such as Portland) have enacted local rent stabilization ordinances. Landlords cannot increase rent on any residential unit currently in violation of the warranty of habitability (§ 6016).

Notice Period: At least 45 days‘ advance written notice for standard rent increases or additions/increases to mandatory recurring fees (§ 6015(1)). If the rent increase is 10% or greater, landlords must provide at least 75 days‘ advance written notice (§ 6015(2)). 

Proof of Service: Tenants must receive written notice (§ 6015). In-hand personal delivery directly to the tenant provides standard proof; if personal delivery cannot be completed after good-faith attempts, notice may be accomplished by leaving a copy at the tenant’s residence and mailing a copy via first-class mail (§ 6002).

Prohibited Acts: Landlords cannot increase rent on a property with uncorrected habitability violations (§ 6016), raise rent as retaliation against tenants for reporting housing code violations or exercising legal rights (§ 6001(3)), or adjust rental terms for discriminatory reasons under the Maine Human Rights Act (5 M.R.S. § 4582).