Maine Notice to Vacate

Maine notice periods

Each period is the one LeaseCraft's record of the statute holds. Read it with the conditions under it: some periods are minimums and some apply unless the lease sets another. "Lease controls" means the record holds no statutory period for that situation, and "No pre-suit notice" means it holds no notice before filing. The source column shows the law and the date LeaseCraft read it on the official site (most recently 2026-09-27).

What the Maine statute says

Ending a month-to-month tenancy: 30 calendar days

• Tenancy at will (any rent period): minimum 30 days' written notice by either party (14 M.R.S. §6002(1)).
• If the tenant has paid rent through the date the 30-day notice would expire, the notice must expire on or after the date through which rent has been paid.
• Notice must include language advising the tenant of the right to contest the termination in court, and the Judicial Branch form (CV-256) must be attached (§6001(7)).

Exceptions

• City of Portland ordinance requires longer notice for covered units (local overlay, not researched).

Tenant staying after the lease ends: No pre-suit notice

• Tenant holding under a written lease or contract (or person holding under such tenant): forcible entry and detainer may be maintained at the expiration or forfeiture of the term WITHOUT notice if commenced within 7 days from the expiration or forfeiture (14 M.R.S. §6001(1)).

Exceptions

• If not commenced within 7 days, the tenant is treated as a tenant at will requiring §6002 notice (inference; statute text on conversion not read).

Delivery, form and other Maine rules

Statewide just-cause rule

No statewide just-cause requirement

• No statewide good-cause requirement; tenancies at will terminable on 30 days' notice without stated cause (14 M.R.S. §6002(1)).

14 M.R.S. §6002(1) · read 2026-09-27

How the notice may be delivered

14 M.R.S. §6002(1): notice is given to the tenant (in-hand delivery by the landlord or agent is the primary method); if the landlord or agent has made at least 3 good-faith efforts to serve the tenant, service may be accomplished by BOTH mailing the notice by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address AND leaving it at the tenant's last and usual place of abode. The CV-256 information sheet must be served with the notice.

14 M.R.S. §6002(1); §6001(7) · read 2026-09-27

City and county rules

Could not verify LeaseCraft has not verified this at the official source (Portland (ME) City Code ch. 6 (Rent Control / Tenant Protections)), so this page states no rule. Check it before you serve the notice.

Preparing the notice

The form asks for the tenancy, the date the tenant must leave and how the notice is delivered, and states the notice period plainly. You enter the period; where LeaseCraft has verified the Maine period for ending a month-to-month tenancy, it refuses a shorter one.

Create a Maine notice to vacate

A notice is not a court order and does not by itself remove a tenant. Cities and counties can add rules. LeaseCraft is not a law firm and this is not legal advice.

Notice to Vacate rules in nearby states

Notice to Vacate rules for every state