Maine Late Rent Fee Rules

What Maine law says

• 14 M.R.S. 6028(1): rent is late only if not paid within 15 days from the time the payment is due.
• 6028(2): a late fee may not exceed 4% of the amount due for one month.
• 6028(3): the landlord must have told the tenant in writing when the agreement was signed that a penalty of up to 4% may be charged; otherwise no penalty may be assessed.
• The section lists no exceptions.

Steps for a landlord

• Put the late fee notice in writing in the rental agreement at signing.
• Wait until rent is 15 days past due.
• Cap the fee at 4% of one month's rent.
• Do not assess a fee if the written notice was not given.

What to put in the notice

• The lease clause that allows the late fee
• The rent due date and any grace period
• The late fee amount and the total now owed
• How and where the tenant can pay
• The date and your signature

Things to watch

• The page we read does not say whether the 4% is applied to rent only or other charges beyond 'the amount due for one month'.
• Check 14 M.R.S. 6028 or a local attorney.
• Cities and counties can add their own rules, including rent control and extra notice requirements. Check your local rules too.

About this page

We checked this page against the official sources listed below in November 2026. Where an official page did not say something, we say so. Laws change and courts read them differently, so confirm the current rule with the statute, the court or a local attorney before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.