Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6021–6030-K § 6030-H
Fees charged to applicants for lease of residential dwelling unit
Operative Text
1. Definition. As used in this section, "dwelling unit" has the same meaning as in section 6021, subsection 1 . 2. Fees prohibited generally. Except as provided in this section, a landlord may not require an applicant to pay a fee to submit an application to enter into an agreement for rental of a dwelling unit or require an applicant to pay a fee for the landlord to review or approve an application to enter into an agreement for rental of a dwelling unit. 3. Exceptions. Subject to the requirements of this subsection, a landlord, in connection with an application to enter into an agreement for rental of a dwelling unit, may require an applicant to pay the actual cost of only one of the following: A. A background check; B. A credit check; or C. A screening process other than those in paragraphs A and B . A landlord shall provide an applicant with a complete copy of the information obtained pursuant to a background check, credit check or other screening process. A landlord may not charge an applicant any fee under this subsection unless the landlord has notified the applicant that the landlord is required by law to provide the applicant a complete copy of the information obtained pursuant to the background check, credit check or other screening process. A landlord may not charge an applicant more than one fee for a background check, credit check or other screening process in any 12-month period.
Maine law under 14 M.R.S. § 6030-H generally prohibits landlords from charging applicants fees simply to submit or have a rental application reviewed. The only permissible fee is the actual cost of a single screening tool — a background check, credit check, or comparable screening process — and only one such fee may be charged within any 12-month period. When a landlord does charge a screening fee, the landlord must first notify the applicant that they are entitled by law to receive a complete copy of the information obtained, and must then actually provide that copy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 14 M.R.S. § 6030-H, compliant operators limit any applicant fee to the actual, documented cost of one screening tool — background check, credit check, or equivalent — and collect no more than one such fee from the same applicant within a rolling 12-month window. Before collecting the fee, landlords generally provide written notice that the applicant is legally entitled to a full copy of the screening results, and then deliver that complete copy once the information is obtained. Charging separate application-processing or administrative fees on top of the screening cost is not permitted under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 6030-H of Title 14 of the Maine Revised Statutes gives rental applicants the right to be free from most application fees, with the narrow exception of one actual-cost screening fee per 12-month period. If a landlord charges a screening fee, they are required by law to notify you of your right to receive a complete copy of the background check, credit check, or other screening results — and to actually provide that copy. Applicants who believe a landlord has charged a prohibited fee or withheld required disclosures may consider contacting a Maine tenant-rights organization or the Maine Attorney General's consumer protection office to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation