A Maine Rental Application helps property management companies and landlords gather information and determine prospective tenants’ ability to meet their obligations. This document allows you to spot tenant issues by investigating an applicant’s rental history, verifying their income and finances, and running background checks.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable
- Fee Limits – No limits (no statute)
- Security Deposit – security deposits cannot exceed two months’ rent
Application Fees
In Maine, rental application fees are not capped, allowing landlords to set any amount they see fit to cover tenant screening costs. These fees are not regulated by state law and are non-refundable.
Fair Housing Protections
It’s illegal to discriminate in housing based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status, or public assistance receipt [1] .
Sale or Rental of Housing:
- Asking about a person’s background (race, sex, disability, etc.) isn’t okay.
- Denying or limiting housing based on these characteristics is not allowed.
- Advertising that shows preference or discrimination is prohibited.
- Discrimination in housing prices, terms, or services is illegal.
- Evicting tenants due to their background is against the law.
Professional Services (Real Estate, Appraisal):
- Refusing to show or misrepresent information because of a person’s background is not okay.
- Making inquiries about a person’s background for housing services is not allowed.
- Accepting listings with the intent to discriminate is illegal.
Loans and Financial Assistance:
- Asking about or discriminating based on a person’s background when providing loans or financial assistance is prohibited.
Recipients of Public Assistance:
- Refusing to rent or imposing different rental terms on recipients of public assistance (like housing subsidies) because of their status is not allowed.
Security Deposits
For most landlords, security deposits are limited to two months’ rent. However, mobile home parks may charge up to three months’ rent. Additional Provisions on the handling and return of security deposits are governed by Maine’s Landlord-Tenant laws [2] :
- Holding requirements — Landlords must hold deposits in a financial institution and cannot combine them with the landlord’s other assets. Tenants can request the institution’s name and the account number. [3]
- Providing receipts — A landlord must provide receipts for rental payments and security deposits upon a tenant’s request. Properties with fewer than five residential units are exempt if the landlord occupies one of the units [4] .
- Returning deposit funds — Upon lease termination and within 30 days of the end of the agreement, the landlord must return the full security deposit or supply an itemized list of deposit deductions and the remaining balance. In a tenancy-at-will, the deadline is 21 days from termination or surrender of the property —whichever comes later [5] .
If landlords fail to return security deposits or wrongfully retain funds, tenants may be able to recover up to double their damages plus legal fees.
Pet Deposits
Maine allows landlords to collect a separate pet deposit as long as the amount is reasonable. Service animals are exempt; applicants with a disability cannot be denied the right to own an assistance pet.
Sample
