Maine security deposit law
Can I get more than my deposit back in Maine?
The short answer
Often, yes. Maine law allows up to 2x the deposit in statutory damages for wrongful withholding under 14 M.R.S. § 6033, on top of the deposit itself.
Maine is one of the states where wrongful withholding costs the landlord more than the deposit: 14 M.R.S. § 6033 allows courts to award up to 2x the deposit in statutory damages, in addition to returning the deposit itself.
What this means practically: the money at stake is often larger than the deposit, and a landlord facing a potential 2x judgment has a strong incentive to settle when a tenant demonstrates they know the statute. Attorney's fees can also be recoverable, which changes the landlord's calculation further.
How tenants actually unlock these remedies: not by mentioning them on the phone, but in a formal demand letter that cites 14 M.R.S. § 6033, the missed deadline, and the specific exposure. That letter is usually the moment the landlord's cost-benefit flips.
If it still goes unanswered, District Court — Small Claims is where these damages get awarded, and the demand letter is the exhibit that proves you gave fair notice.
The Maine rules at a glance. Governing statute: 14 M.R.S. § 6033. Return deadline: 21 days (30 days with deductions claimed). Statutory damages: up to 2x the deposit for wrongful withholding. Attorney's fees: recoverable in qualifying cases. Court for disputes: District Court — Small Claims, claims up to $6,000.
See what your landlord owes you under Maine law.
Answer a few questions about your situation and get a Maine-specific demand letter that applies these rules to your case, ready in about ten minutes.