Updated on March 16th, 2023
A Maine lease agreement is a real estate document that is used to bind a tenant and a landlord/owner of commercial or residential property to the provisions of the rental arrangement. A lease is used to protect both parties, ensuring that they are aware of, and have signed off on, their respective obligations and rights. Prior to signing a lease and accepting a tenant, the landlord will generally screen an applicant and review the contents of the contract with them. Once signed, both individuals are bound to the terms and conditions of the agreement until the end of the lease term.
Rental Application – A document completed by a rental applicant and used by the landlord to ensure that their prospective tenant is a suitable candidate to rent the property.
Contents |
Agreements: By Type (6)
Commercial Lease Agreement – A commercial lease agreement is used to rent out non-residential property such as warehouses, office space, and retail space. The rental term is generally longer than that of a residential real estate agreement.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Rent-to-Own Agreement (Lease Option) – A lease wherein the tenant agrees to rent the property for a pre-determined period of time with the option to purchase the property before the lease term ends.
Download: PDF
Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – A month-to-month agreement has no fixed termination date but renews each month with the payment of rent. Either party can terminate the agreement at any time during the year providing sufficient notice was provided.
Download: PDF
Roommate Agreement – A roommate agreement ensures that all inhabitants of a rental space are aware of the conditions of living on the premises.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Standard (1-year) Lease Agreement – The most common lease agreement, this one (1) year lease is used to rent residential property to a tenant, providing that they comply with the provisions set therein.
Download: PDF
Sublease Agreement – A sublease agreement is employed when a tenant wishes to rent out a portion or all of the rental property to another individual.
Download: PDF, Word (.docx), OpenDocument
Disclosures (6) |
Download: PDF |
Energy Efficiency Disclosure Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
Download: PDF |
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Landlord’s Access
General Access (§ 6025(2)) – The landlord should provide twenty-four (24) hours’ notice before accessing the property.
Emergency Access (§ 6025(2)) – If the landlord needs to access the property in the case of an emergency, they can do so immediately and without warning.
Rent
Grace Period (§ 6028(1)) – Rent must be paid within fifteen (15) days of the due date or it is considered late.
Maximum Fees (%) (§ 6028(2))- A landlord may not charge more than 4% of the total cost of monthly rent.
Rent Increase Notice (§ 6015) – A landlord must give at least forty-five (45) days’ notice.
Security Deposits
Maximum Amount ($) (§ 6032) – A landlord may not charge an amount greater than two (2) months’ rent as a security deposit.
Returning to Tenant (§ 6033(2)) – A landlord must return the deposit to the tenant, if applicable, within thirty (30) days if it is a fixed lease, or within twenty-one (21) days if the tenancy is month-to-month.
Interest Required? – No statute.
Separate Bank Account? (§ 6038) – Security deposits must be held in a separate bank account that places the amount beyond the claim of creditors. The landlord must provide the tenant with the institution and account number at which the deposit is being held.