Tenant law in plain language
Maine

Landlord Entering Without Notice in Maine: What Are My Rights?

Published by Nazanin · October 3, 2026

This page covers when your Maine landlord can come into your home. It also covers lock changes, lockouts and utilities (water, electric, gas) being shut off. It explains what you can do if your landlord breaks the rules.

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Not legal advice. Each answer below links to where it comes from. Read it before you act.

  1. Your Maine landlord must give you reasonable notice before entering your home. Your landlord must enter only at reasonable times. The limit is an emergency, or a case where giving notice is impracticable (not possible).

    Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(2)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  2. Maine law presumes (treats as true unless shown otherwise) that 24 hours is reasonable notice. Evidence to the contrary can change that.

    Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(2)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  3. In Maine, you may not say no without good reason when your landlord asks to enter. Reasons include, for example, to inspect, to make necessary or agreed repairs, and to supply necessary or agreed services.

    Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(1)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  4. In Maine, you may not say no without good reason if your landlord asks to show your home. For example, the landlord may show it to prospective or actual buyers, other tenants, workers or contractors.

    Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(1)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  5. In Maine, your landlord does not need to give notice in an emergency. Danger to an animal's welfare is one kind of emergency. It allows entry without 24 hours' notice.

    Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(2)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  6. If your Maine landlord enters in violation of the entry law, you may recover your actual losses or $100, whichever is more. The same is true if the landlord enters in an unreasonable manner. It is also true if repeated demands to enter harass you (bother you again and again). You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(3)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  7. If your landlord enters illegally, you may ask a Maine court for an injunction (a court order to stop it from happening again). You may ask for one too if the entry is done in an unreasonable way. You may also ask if repeated demands to enter amount to harassment (bothering you again and again). If you get a judgment (the court's final decision) after a contested hearing, the court may award reasonable lawyer fees. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(3)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  8. A tenant in Maine may not change the lock without telling the landlord. The tenant must give the landlord a copy of the key within 48 hours of the change. A victim (someone who has been subject to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking) may change the locks at their own cost. The victim must give the landlord a copy of the key within 72 hours.

    Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(1) Maine Revised Statutes 14 M.R.S. § 6000(4)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  9. If a Maine tenant changes the lock and gives no duplicate key, the landlord may enter in an emergency by any reasonable means necessary. The landlord may charge the tenant reasonable costs for any resulting damage. If the tenant refuses to give a key, the landlord may end the rental with a 7-day notice. Changing the lock without giving a key puts your home at risk.

    RenterLaw editorial Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6025(3)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  10. A Maine landlord may not willfully (on purpose) keep you out of your home. Only proper judicial process (a court case) can do that. The law applies unless Title 15, chapter 517 or Title 17, chapter 91 allows it.

    Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6014(1)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  11. A Maine landlord may not willfully (on purpose) cut off your utilities (water, electric, gas). The law names, for example, water, heat, light, electricity, gas and telephone. It applies even if the landlord does not control the service. A temporary stop is allowed when needed while actual repairs are in process or during temporary emergencies.

    Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6014(1)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  12. If a Maine court finds an illegal eviction, it finds one or both of two things. You may recover your actual losses or $250, whichever is more. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6014(2)

    ✓ Sources checked October 2, 2026

  13. When a Maine court finds an illegal eviction, the renter may recover costs and expenses. These are the ones the court decides were reasonably spent for the renter in the case. The court can add a reasonable amount for attorneys' fees (lawyer fees). You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.

    RenterLaw editorial Maine Legislature 14 M.R.S. § 6014(2)

    ✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026

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