Maine Rent Increase Rules

At a glance

Notice before a rent increase

Maine requires 45 days' written notice for increases under 10%, and 75 days' notice for increases of 10% or more.

The notice must be in writing and state the new rent amount and the effective date. Verbal notice alone is not sufficient. If your landlord raises rent without providing the required 45-day written notice, the increase is not legally effective and you may continue paying your current rent until proper notice is given and the notice period runs.

Limits on how much rent can increase

Maine has no statewide cap on rent increases. A landlord may raise rent by any amount with proper notice, as long as the increase is not retaliatory or discriminatory.

Rent increases during a fixed-term lease

In Maine — as in every U.S. state — a landlord cannot raise rent during a fixed-term lease (such as a 12-month lease) unless the lease itself contains a rent escalation clause allowing it. Your rent is locked in for the entire lease term. At renewal, the landlord may propose a new rent amount; you can accept, negotiate, or choose not to renew.

Retaliatory and discriminatory rent increases

Even where no cap exists, landlords in Maine cannot raise rent in retaliation for a tenant exercising a legal right — such as complaining to a housing inspector, requesting repairs, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliatory rent increases violate state law and federal fair housing laws. Similarly, a landlord cannot target a rent increase based on race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or other protected classes.

Common questions about rent increases in Maine