A Maine lease termination notice form is an official legal document provided to either the tenant or the landlord informing them that the tenancy is ending. If rent is paid monthly, then at least 30 days notice must be provided before the tenancy can end.
If the landlord or the tenant is terminating a periodic tenancy (i.e., week-to-week or month-to-month) or a fixed term lease, the 30 Day Notice to Vacate shall be served by either party at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the termination date.
Types of Maine Lease Termination Notice Forms
| Notice Form | Lease Type |
| 30 Day Notice to Vacate | Periodic or Fixed Term |
Maine 30 Day Notice to Vacate
A Maine 30 Day Notice to Vacate is a lease termination letter served by either party to terminate a periodic (i.e. week-to-week or month-to-month) or a fixed term rental agreement, regardless of length or rent payment frequency. This letter may also be used for tenants with no written lease or for tenants with an expired lease.
The notice must be provided at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the end of the following rental period or expiration of the lease.
How to Write a Lease Termination Notice in Maine
For a lease termination notice to be legally compliant:
- State who the legal letter is addressed to (use full name of the receiving party).
- Include the termination date of the lease or tenancy.
- Fill in the full address of the rental premises.
- For tenants, provide your new address and an updated phone number.
- Sign the notice and print your name.
- For landlords, include contact information, such as address and phone number.
- Complete the certificate of service by indicating the date and method of notice delivery along with printed name and signature.
Without this information on the lease termination notice, a judge may not be able to proceed with legal action.
How to Calculate Expiration Date in Maine
If the lease termination letter is terminating a periodic or fixed term lease, the notice shall be provided to the receiving party at least thirty (30) calendar days before the end of the following rental period or expiration of the lease. For tenants who have paid rent through the end date of the notice period or after, the notice must expire on or after the date through which the rent has been paid.
How to Serve a Lease Termination Notice in Maine
A landlord or tenant shall make three (3) good faith efforts to serve the other party in person. If service cannot be made in person, the landlord or the tenant may post the notice at the premises, such as on the entry door AND mail the notice by first class mail with a certificate of mailing.
When sending the notice by first class mail, add three (3) calendar days to the notice period to account for variability in post office delivery times.
Sources
- 1 14 ME Rev Stat § 6002
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Tenancies at will must be terminated by either party by a minimum of 30 days’ notice in writing for that purpose given to the other party. In cases when the tenant has paid rent through the date when a 30-day notice would expire, the notice must expire on or after the date through which the rent has been paid.
Source Link - 2 14 ME Rev Stat § 6002
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If the landlord or the tenant have made at least 3 good faith efforts to serve the other party, that service may be accomplished by both mailing the notice by first class mail to the other party’s last known address and by leaving the notice at the other party’s last and usual place of abode.
Source Link - 3 Maine Court Rules of Civil Procedure - Rule 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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