Maine Standard Residential Lease Agreement | PDF
A Maine standard residential lease agreement is a contract between a landlord and a tenant that agrees to reside for payment on a monthly basis. The terms of the agreement are usually negotiated after a rental application has been completed where the property owner has a better understanding of the income and creditworthiness of the tenant.
Maine Attorney General Lease Agreement
Download: Fillable PDF
Source: www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=27935&an=1
Table of Contents
- Maine Attorney General Lease Agreement
- Negotiating Items
- Security Deposit Laws
- Required Disclosures
- Rent Grace Period
- Guides & Laws
Negotiating Items
The main areas of negotiation are the following:
- Monthly Rental Payment
- Security Deposit (State law allows for the Landlord to accept as much as two (2) months worth of rent)
- Heat (If paid by the landlord it must be turned on October 15th until April 15th)
- Water
- Electricity
- Cable/Internet/Phone
- Parking Space
Once the terms have been agreed to, a lease should be created putting it all in writing and signed. At the lease authorization, the checks by the tenant should be written out to cover any required deposit and first (1st) month’s rent. At this time the landlord will usually grant access to the unit.
Security Deposit Laws
Maximum Amount ($) – The landlord can demand up to two (2) months’ rent as a security deposit from tenants (§ 6032).
Returning – The tenant must have the security deposit minus any damages returned to them within thirty (30) days from their tenancy’s termination date (§ 6033).
Required Disclosures
Bedbugs – The landlord is required to alert the tenant if the rental unit, or one that is adjacent, has been treated for bed bugs or currently has bed bugs (§ 6021-A).
Energy Efficiency Disclosure – The landlord must give the tenant a notice that states that they have the right to request an accounting of the past twelve (12) months’ energy consumption and cost for the unit. After receiving the disclosure, the tenant must sign and return the document to the landlord (§ 6030-C).
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – If a property was built prior to 1978, any potential renters must be given a notice that advises them of the presence of lead paint. The disclosure needs to be signed by the individual and returned back to the landlord.
Radon Disclosure Form – Every ten (10) years the landlord is required to check their rental property for radon gas. If there is a significant amount of this type of gas found on the premises, the radon disclosure form must be given to the tenant (§ 6030-D).
Security Deposit Location – At the tenant’s request, a landlord is required to give them the name of the bank and the account number in which their security deposit is being held (§ 6038).
Smoking Policy – The landlord must give the tenant a smoking policy disclosure that informs them whether or not smoking is prohibited and where it is or isn’t prohibited (§ 6030-E).
Rent Grace Period
State law allows for tenants to have a fifteen (15) day grace period to pay rent from the day that payment is due (§ 6028).