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Lewiston is Maine's second-largest city, located in Androscoggin County along the Androscoggin River. With a population of roughly 37,000, Lewiston has a significant renter population concentrated in its historic mill-era multi-family housing stock. Renters here commonly search for answers about security deposit returns, how much notice a landlord must give before an eviction, and what remedies exist when a landlord fails to make repairs.
Tenant rights in Lewiston are governed entirely by Maine state law — primarily the Maine Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, codified at Title 14 of the Maine Revised Statutes (14 M.R.S. §§ 6001–6046). Lewiston has not enacted any local rent stabilization, just-cause eviction, or tenant-protection ordinances beyond state law. That means state statutes set the floor — and the ceiling — for renter protections in the city.
This article is intended as a general educational resource for Lewiston renters and is not legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific dispute with your landlord, contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization such as Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
Lewiston has no rent control or rent stabilization. Maine does not have a statewide rent control law, and unlike some Maine cities (such as Portland, which passed a rent stabilization ordinance in 2020), Lewiston has not adopted any local ordinance limiting how much a landlord can increase rent.
In practice, this means a landlord in Lewiston can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for a month-to-month tenancy, with at least 45 days' written notice before the next rent due date — a requirement established under 14 M.R.S. § 6015. There is no cap on the size of the increase; only the notice requirement applies. If you do not agree to the new rent, you may vacate with proper notice or negotiate with your landlord.
Maine state law also does not prohibit municipalities from enacting rent control — there is no preemption statute as exists in some other states — but Lewiston has simply chosen not to do so. Renters concerned about large rent increases should review their lease carefully and document all communications with their landlord in writing.
Maine's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (14 M.R.S. §§ 6001–6046) provides several important protections for Lewiston renters:
Implied Warranty of Habitability (14 M.R.S. § 6021): Every residential rental in Maine must be fit for human habitation. Landlords are required to maintain the premises in a clean, safe condition, ensure working plumbing, heat, and electrical systems, and comply with applicable housing and safety codes. If a landlord fails to maintain the unit, a tenant may give written notice and, if the landlord does not remedy the condition within 14 days (or a shorter period in an emergency), the tenant may terminate the lease, withhold rent, or pursue other remedies — including repair-and-deduct in some circumstances.
Security Deposit Rules (14 M.R.S. §§ 6031–6038): Maine limits security deposits to two months' rent. The landlord must return the deposit — along with a written itemization of any deductions — within 21 days after the tenancy ends for month-to-month tenants, or within 30 days for fixed-term leases. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to double-damage liability (see Security Deposit section below).
Notice Requirements (14 M.R.S. § 6002): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice before the next rent-due date. For a fixed-term lease, the tenancy ends on the date specified in the lease unless the parties agree otherwise. Rent increases on month-to-month tenancies require 45 days' advance written notice under 14 M.R.S. § 6015.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (14 M.R.S. § 6001): A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services in retaliation against a tenant who has complained about housing conditions to a government agency, joined a tenant organization, or exercised any right protected by law. If a landlord takes adverse action within six months of a protected act, there is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (14 M.R.S. § 6014): Self-help evictions are illegal in Maine. A landlord cannot remove a tenant by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, or intentionally cutting off heat, water, electricity, or other essential services. The only lawful way to remove a tenant is through the court eviction process.
Maine's security deposit law is found at 14 M.R.S. §§ 6031–6038. The following rules apply to all Lewiston rentals:
Maximum Deposit: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding two months' rent (14 M.R.S. § 6032). Any amount collected above that cap must be returned to the tenant.
Holding Requirements: The landlord must hold the security deposit in a separate account maintained in a federally insured financial institution. Upon written request by the tenant, the landlord must disclose the name and address of the bank and the account number (14 M.R.S. § 6034).
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends and the tenant has vacated, the landlord must return the deposit — along with a written itemized statement of deductions — within 21 days for month-to-month tenants or within 30 days for fixed-term tenants (14 M.R.S. § 6033). Permissible deductions include unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within the required period without just cause, the tenant may sue for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs (14 M.R.S. § 6033). To protect your rights, document the unit's condition with dated photos or video at move-in and move-out, and provide a forwarding address in writing.
Evictions in Lewiston must follow the court process set out in 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001–6013. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order.
Step 1 — Notice to Quit: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve a written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Forcible Entry and Detainer Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord must file a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) complaint in the Maine District Court — in Lewiston, that is the Androscoggin County District Court. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 7–14 days of service on the tenant.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties may present their case. Tenants have the right to raise defenses such as retaliation, failure to maintain habitable conditions, or improper notice. If the court rules for the landlord, it will issue a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: After judgment, the landlord may request a writ of possession. A sheriff or constable will execute the writ if the tenant has not vacated; the tenant typically receives a short additional period to leave voluntarily.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under 14 M.R.S. § 6014, it is unlawful for a landlord to remove or exclude a tenant by any means other than a court order — including changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting off utilities. A tenant subjected to a self-help eviction may sue for damages and reinstatement.
Just Cause: Maine does not require a landlord to have just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy; 30 days' notice is sufficient. However, as noted above, evictions that appear retaliatory in nature may be challenged under 14 M.R.S. § 6001.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep information accurate and current as of April 2026, Maine landlord-tenant laws and local ordinances may change. The facts of every tenancy are different, and nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific legal problem or dispute, please consult a licensed Maine attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as Pine Tree Legal Assistance. Always verify current statutes at maine.gov or through qualified legal counsel.
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