Maine Security Deposit Return Deadlines: 21 or Up to 30 Days

For a written rental agreement, the return/itemization period is the time stated in the agreement, but it cannot exceed 30 days. For a tenancy at will, the period is 21 days after the later of termination or surrender and acceptance of the premises.

Last reviewed: August 30, 20261 official source cited

Written agreementAgreement period ≤ 30 days

Read the lease.

Tenancy at will21 days

Measured from the later statutory trigger.

If withholdingWritten itemization

The reasons for retention must be itemized.

Before calculating

Identify tenancy type.
If written lease, read the exact deposit-return clause.
Document termination date.
Document surrender and acceptance date.
Check when itemization/refund was mailed.

Maine deadline depends on tenancy type. Read the written agreement before applying a date; tenancy-at-will rules use a separate 21-day framework. Educational information only.

Official source

Maine Legislature14 M.R.S. Chapter 710-A — Security Deposits on Residential Rental Units ↗

Official Maine security-deposit chapter covering the two-month cap, normal wear, 21/30-day return rules, itemization, wrongful-retention damages and deposit handling.

Related Maine guides

Security Deposit →2-Month Limit →Normal Wear →Damage Itemization →