Maine Guide
Maine's deadline passed? Your written demand is what unlocks double damages.
Maine doesn't just give you a deadline — under 14 M.R.S. § 6034, a proper written demand is the step that can put a landlord on the hook for twice the amount wrongfully withheld. The letter isn't only for your records; it changes what they risk by ignoring you.
Write it free below. If you'd rather not deal with the printer and post office, we mail it for you — first class for $10, or certified with delivery tracking for $19.
Best fit
- Lease or at-will deposit dispute
- Need an itemized statement
- Wrongful retention after move-out
- Want a small-claims paper trail
This is the letter you'll send
No guessing about wording. You fill in your details and the builder produces a clean, dated demand letter like this one — ready to download or have us mail.
Rachel Boucher 17 Spring Street Portland, ME 04101
May 29, 2026
Edward Frye Frye Property Management 240 Commercial Street Portland, ME 04101
Re: 7-Day Notice and Demand for Return of Security Deposit under 14 M.R.S. Sections 6033-6034
Dear Edward Frye,
I am requesting the return of my security deposit for 64 Brackett Street, Apt 1, Portland, ME. My tenancy ended on April 30, 2026.
Under 14 M.R.S. Section 6033, a landlord must return the deposit or provide a written itemized statement within the applicable statutory time period. This letter serves as notice of my intent to pursue available remedies if the deposit is still being wrongfully withheld.
Please return the deposit in full, or send a lawful written itemization with any balance due, within 7 days of receipt of this letter.
Please send all correspondence and payment to the mailing address listed above.
Sincerely,
Rachel Boucher
How it works
Fill in your details
Your info, the landlord's mailing address, your move-out date, and the deposit amount. Takes a couple of minutes.
Download free, or let us mail it
Print and mail it yourself at no cost — or hand it off and skip the errand entirely.
We print, stamp, and send
First class for $10, or certified mail with tracking for $19 so you have proof it was delivered.
What the law gives you
Under 14 M.R.S. § 6033, the landlord must return the security deposit — or send an itemized written statement of deductions — within the statutory time period that applies to the tenancy. For at-will tenancies, that is generally 21 days after the tenancy ends. For written-lease tenancies, the lease may specify up to 30 days.
Under 14 M.R.S. § 6034, if the deposit is still wrongfully withheld after the tenant gives a proper written notice demanding return, the tenant may be entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs. The written demand letter is that notice — it is the step that opens the door to those additional consequences.
Why the letter is the trigger
In Maine, the demand letter does more than document your request. Under the statute, a written demand for return of the deposit is the formal step that can put the landlord on the hook for double damages if they continue to withhold it without valid cause.
That is a meaningful difference from most informal follow-ups. Sending the letter is not just for your records — it changes what the landlord risks by ignoring you.
What to put in your demand
- Your name and current mailing address
- The rental property address
- Your move-out date
- Whether the tenancy was at-will or under a written lease
- The full deposit amount you paid
- A direct demand for return of the deposit or a proper itemized statement
- A specific response deadline
What to expect after sending
The landlord returns the deposit. Many landlords respond to a formal written demand — especially once they understand the stakes under Maine law. A mailed letter with a postmark and a deadline communicates that you are not going to let this go.
The landlord sends an itemized statement. Review it carefully. Deductions must be specific and supported. Normal wear and tear is not a valid deduction. If the statement looks vague, inflated, or unsupported, consult Pine Tree Legal Assistance before deciding how to respond.
The landlord ignores it. The letter is now your documentation for small claims court. Combined with proof of mailing, your lease, and any move-out photos, it establishes that you made the formal demand the statute requires before pursuing double damages.
Official source
General information only, not legal advice. Maine security deposit law can depend on your specific tenancy type and lease terms. Consult a qualified attorney or Pine Tree Legal Assistance for guidance on your situation.
Choose how it gets mailed
Writing and downloading your letter is always free. You only pay if you want us to handle the printing and mailing.
Ready to write it?
Open the Maine security deposit demand template, add your move-out date and deposit details, then download it free or have Forman3D print and mail it.