A Maine 7 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate is letter which complies with state legal requirements to begin eviction against a tenant for a “curable” violation (i.e., one which the tenant is allowed an opportunity to correct), such as failure to maintain sanitary premises. The tenant must take appropriate corrective action or move out within seven (7) calendar days of receiving notice.
When To Use a Maine 7 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate
A Maine 7 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate begins the eviction process for the following tenant violations:
- Failure to comply with health and safety rules which maintain the premises in clean and sanitary condition
- Occupancy violation
- Other violations of the lease
Some types of Maine lease termination notice may allow different reasons for termination, or different notice periods. This may also apply to an eviction notice issued because of a lease or legal violation.
How To Write a Maine 7 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate
To help ensure the legal compliance of a Notice To Comply or Vacate:
- Use the full name of the receiving parties, and address of record, if known
- Specify the termination date of the lease or tenancy
- Specify the basis for terminating the tenancy, and the corrective action(s) necessary to avoid termination
- Fill in the full address of the rental premises
- Provide updated/current address and phone number information
- Print name and sign the notice
- Complete the certificate of service by indicating the date and method of notice delivery, along with printed name and signature
It is easy to lose an otherwise justified legal action because of improper notice. Check carefully to ensure enough time after notice is delivered, not when it’s sent.
How To Serve a Maine 7 Day Notice To Comply or Vacate
Maine landlords delivering a written Notice To Comply or Vacate must make three (3) good faith efforts to hand deliver the notice to the tenant in person. Afterward, notice may be posted at the premises, plus delivered by first class mail with a certificate of mailing.
Mailed notice extends a notice period by three (3) calendar days, to account for variable delivery times.
Sources
- 1 14 Me. Rev. Stat. § 6002
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The tenant, the tenant’s family or an invitee of the tenant caused or permitted a nuisance within the premises, has caused or permitted an invitee to cause the dwelling unit to become unfit for human habitation or has violated or permitted a violation of the law regarding the tenancy.
Source Link - 2 14 Me. Rev. Stat. § 6002
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In the event that the landlord or the landlord’s agent has made at least 3 good faith efforts to personally serve the tenant in-hand, that service may be accomplished by both mailing the notice by first class mail to the tenant’s last known address and by leaving the notice at the tenant’s last and usual place of abode.
Source Link - 3 Me. R. Civ. P. 6
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Additional Time After Service by Mail. Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act or take some proceedings within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or other paper upon the party and the notice or paper is served upon the party by mail, 3 days shall be added to the prescribed period.
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