Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Westbrook is a mid-sized city of roughly 20,000 residents in Cumberland County, just west of Portland. A growing share of its population rents — drawn by relative affordability compared to nearby Portland — making familiarity with landlord-tenant law especially important. Maine's landlord-tenant statutes, found primarily in Title 14 of the Maine Revised Statutes (M.R.S.), govern the rights and responsibilities of renters throughout the state, including in Westbrook.
Westbrook has not enacted any local rent stabilization, just-cause eviction, or tenant-protection ordinances beyond what state law requires. That means Maine's statewide rules set the floor for everything from security deposit handling to eviction procedures and habitability standards. Understanding these laws can help Westbrook renters protect themselves, communicate effectively with landlords, and seek remedies when their rights are violated.
This page is an informational summary only and is not legal advice. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary; consult a licensed Maine attorney or a legal aid organization for guidance on your specific situation.
No Rent Control in Westbrook. Westbrook has not adopted any local rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. Maine state law likewise contains no rent control statute, so landlords in Westbrook are free to set rents at any amount and increase rents by any amount — subject only to the notice requirements described below. There is no state law preempting local rent control in Maine (unlike some other states), but because Westbrook has never passed such an ordinance, renters have no cap on rent increases.
In practice, this means a landlord on a month-to-month lease can raise your rent with as little as 45 days' written notice (effective February 2024 under 14 M.R.S. § 6015, which extended the notice period for rent increases from 45 days). Fixed-term lease tenants are protected from mid-term increases, but at renewal the landlord may propose any new rent. If you receive a rent-increase notice and cannot negotiate with your landlord, your primary option is to accept the new rent, negotiate, or give proper notice to vacate.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (14 M.R.S. § 6021). Maine landlords must maintain rental units in a clean, safe, and habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This includes keeping the structure weathertight, maintaining heating facilities capable of keeping the unit at 68°F between October 15 and May 15, ensuring safe electrical and plumbing systems, and complying with applicable housing and building codes that materially affect health and safety. If a landlord fails to repair a serious condition after receiving written notice, a tenant may pursue remedies including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination under 14 M.R.S. § 6021(3).
Security Deposit Rules (14 M.R.S. §§ 6031–6038). Maine caps security deposits at two months' rent (14 M.R.S. § 6032). Deposits must be returned — with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, or within 30 days if the landlord sends a written explanation. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant may recover up to twice the improperly withheld amount plus attorney's fees (14 M.R.S. § 6033).
Notice Requirements (14 M.R.S. §§ 6002, 6015). For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to terminate the tenancy. For tenancies of less than one month (week-to-week), 7 days' notice is required. A landlord must give a tenant at least 45 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (14 M.R.S. § 6001). A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a code enforcement officer or other government agency about habitability conditions, or for exercising any right under Maine law. Retaliation includes wrongful eviction, rent increases, or reduction of services. If a landlord takes adverse action within 6 months of a tenant's protected activity, retaliation is presumed and the burden shifts to the landlord to prove a legitimate reason.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (14 M.R.S. § 6014). Maine law prohibits landlords from removing a tenant by any means other than the formal court eviction process. Changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's belongings without a court order are all illegal. A tenant subjected to such conduct may seek damages and injunctive relief in court.
Cap on Security Deposits. Under 14 M.R.S. § 6032, a Maine landlord may not require a security deposit exceeding two months' rent. This limit applies in Westbrook as throughout the state. There is no separate pet-deposit cap, but all deposits combined cannot exceed this two-month ceiling.
Return Deadline. After the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord has 21 days to return the deposit (or the balance after deductions) along with an itemized written statement explaining any amounts withheld. If the tenant's forwarding address is unknown, the clock begins when the landlord learns the address. In cases where the landlord requires more time, a written explanation must be sent within 30 days, with the actual funds to follow as soon as reasonably possible (14 M.R.S. § 6033).
Allowable Deductions. Landlords may deduct only for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other specific charges permitted under the lease. Ordinary wear — scuffs on walls, minor carpet wear — cannot be charged to the tenant.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding. If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within the required period, or wrongfully withholds any portion, the tenant is entitled to recover up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees in a small claims or district court action (14 M.R.S. § 6033). Always document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out with dated photos.
Notice Requirements Before Filing. Before a landlord can file for eviction (called a Forcible Entry and Detainer, or FED, action in Maine), they must first serve proper written notice. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give the tenant at least 7 days' written notice to pay or vacate (14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)). For a lease violation, the notice period depends on the lease terms and the nature of the violation. For a no-fault termination of a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give 30 days' written notice (14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)).
Filing the Eviction Action. If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord may file a Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint in Maine District Court (Cumberland County District Court serves Westbrook). The court will set a hearing date, typically within 7–14 days of filing. The tenant must be personally served with the summons and complaint.
The Hearing. At the FED hearing, both parties may present evidence. If the court rules for the landlord, it issues a Judgment for Possession. The tenant generally has 7 days from judgment to vacate before a Writ of Possession may be issued to a sheriff or constable for physical removal (14 M.R.S. § 6008). Tenants should attend every hearing — failing to appear almost always results in a default judgment for the landlord.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal. As noted under state protections, Maine law (14 M.R.S. § 6014) prohibits landlords from changing locks, removing the tenant's belongings, shutting off utilities, or otherwise forcing a tenant out without a court order. Any such conduct is illegal and may entitle the tenant to damages and injunctive relief. Call law enforcement or seek emergency court relief if your landlord attempts a self-help eviction.
Just Cause Not Required. Westbrook and Maine do not require landlords to state a reason for terminating a month-to-month tenancy, provided proper 30-day notice is given. However, a landlord may not terminate a tenancy in retaliation for the tenant exercising a legal right (14 M.R.S. § 6001).
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Maine and Westbrook may change, and the application of any law depends on your specific facts and circumstances. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. If you have a specific legal problem — including an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or a habitability issue — you should consult a licensed Maine attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as Pine Tree Legal Assistance. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances through official sources before taking action.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.