Lewiston, ME local landlord rules
State law also applies. See Maine landlord-tenant law and the Maine landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Rental licensing / registration | Yes, for multi-family buildings. Every multi-family building with rental housing must be registered with the city, at no cost, before units are rented or occupied (§ 23-203). Registration is renewed before March 1 each year and expires at the end of February. New owners must register within 60 days of a purchase or transfer, and newly built buildings within 30 days of the certificate of occupancy (§ 23-204). Owners must allow city inspections. Single-family homes, small condo/co-op holdings (no one owns more than two units), hotels, dorms and mobile home parks are exempt (§ 23-202). Unregistered buildings face a civil penalty and lose eligibility for city loan and grant programs (§ 23-207). |
Details & sources
Rental licensing / registration
Yes, for multi-family buildings. Every multi-family building with rental housing must be registered with the city, at no cost, before units are rented or occupied (§ 23-203). Registration is renewed before March 1 each year and expires at the end of February. New owners must register within 60 days of a purchase or transfer, and newly built buildings within 30 days of the certificate of occupancy (§ 23-204). Owners must allow city inspections. Single-family homes, small condo/co-op holdings (no one owns more than two units), hotels, dorms and mobile home parks are exempt (§ 23-202). Unregistered buildings face a civil penalty and lose eligibility for city loan and grant programs (§ 23-207).
Verified Source: Lewiston Code ch. 23, art. II, Sec. 23-202, Sec. 23-203, Sec. 23-204, Sec. 23-207 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
0 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.
| Topic | Status | Subtopics done |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Deposit return deadlines | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Rent increases and rent control | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Late fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Landlord entry | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Repairs and habitability | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Screening and application fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Fair housing and assistance animals | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Disclosures | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Renewal and termination | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Eviction | Not researched | 0 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
Maine rules that also apply in Lewiston:
- Security deposit limit
- May not exceed 2 months' rent. Separately, at move-in a landlord, agent or broker may not require more than the first full month's rent, the security deposit and properly disclosed mandatory recurring fees (§ 6022-A). Verified Source: 14 M.R.S. §§ 6032, 6022-A · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Maine security deposit limit page
- Deposit return deadline
- Written lease: within the time stated in the lease, but no more than 30 days. Tenancy at will: within 21 days after the tenancy ends or the premises are surrendered, whichever is later. Verified Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6033 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Maine deposit return deadline page
- Notice to enter
- Reasonable notice and entry only at reasonable times; 24 hours is presumed reasonable. Verified Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6025 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Maine notice to enter page
- Late fees
- Rent is late only if unpaid 15 days after it is due. The late penalty may not exceed 4% of one month's rent, and the tenant must have been told in writing at signing that it may be charged. Verified Source: 14 M.R.S. § 6028 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Maine late fees page
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