Rent late fee law in Maine

The rule in Maine

Maine caps a residential late fee at 4% of one month's rent (14 M.R.S. § 6028): “A landlord may not assess a penalty for the late payment of rent which exceeds 4% of the amount due for one month.”

On timing: “A payment of rent is late if it is not made within 15 days from the time the payment is due.” In short, rent is late only if not paid within 15 days of the due date.

In dollars: $1,000 rent allows up to $40, $1,500 rent allows up to $60 and $2,000 rent allows up to $80.

At $1,500 a month, Maine's ceiling of $60 is 4% of the rent and ranks 9th highest of the 10 verified states that set a dollar or percentage limit; Virginia allows the most ($150) and New York the least ($50). Late in every month of a year, the ceiling adds up to $720.

Dated example: with rent due on December 1, 2026, the 15-day window runs to December 16, 2026; a payment made by then carries no late fee under this rule.

Maine has no land neighbours; the closest verified rules: New York ($50 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is less, 5-day wait), Delaware (5% of the monthly rent, 5-day wait) and Maryland (5% of the rent due for the period).

The landlord must have given the tenant written notice of the possible penalty at the start of the tenancy (§ 6028(3)).

Related Maine rules: ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 30 days (notice rules); a security deposit is due back within 30 days of the end (deposit rules); disputes over fees go to small claims up to $10,000 (small claims).

Source: Maine Legislature, 14 M.R.S. § 6028 · last checked October 21, 2026.

Reading a lease against the statute

A late fee needs a basis in the rental agreement, and the statute sets the outer limit. The guide on rent late-fee limits works the verified caps through the same rents side by side.