Maine rent late fee law

What your landlord is allowed to charge when rent is late, how soon they can charge it, and what to do about a fee the law doesn't allow.

Maximum late fee

4% of one month's rent

Grace period

15 days

The cap

Under 14 M.R.S. § 6028, Maine caps late-payment penalties at 4% of the amount due for one month — one of the lowest caps in the country.

When the fee can start

Rent is not legally 'late' until 15 days after it is due, and no penalty may be assessed before then. A landlord may not charge any late penalty unless they gave written notice at the time the rental agreement was made that a penalty of up to 4% may be charged. No notice at signing means no fee, ever, under that agreement.

If you've been charged an illegal fee

The statute makes a non-compliant fee simply not assessable: an over-cap, early, or un-noticed fee is not lawfully owed, and amounts collected can be demanded back.

Charged a fee the law doesn't allow?

Answer a few questions and get a formal demand letter citing 14 M.R.S. § 6028 and exactly which rule your landlord broke — free to generate and download. We can also send it by USPS Certified Mail for you, with the delivery record that holds up in court.

Dispute my late fee

Did your landlord also keep your security deposit?

Every state sets a deadline for returning your security deposit, with real penalties for landlords who miss it. See what Maine law requires and what your landlord may owe you.

Maine deposit law

Common questions

Is there a limit on late fees for rent in Maine?: Yes. Under 14 M.R.S. § 6028, Maine caps late-payment penalties at 4% of the amount due for one month — one of the lowest caps in the country.
Can my landlord charge a late fee the day rent is due in Maine?: No. Rent is not legally 'late' until 15 days after it is due, and no penalty may be assessed before then.
What can I do if my landlord charged an illegal late fee in Maine?: The statute makes a non-compliant fee simply not assessable: an over-cap, early, or un-noticed fee is not lawfully owed, and amounts collected can be demanded back.

Statute text verified against the published source on August 6, 2026. Laws change — confirm the current text before relying on it. This page is general information, not legal advice.