# 14 M.R.S. § 6034: 14 §6034. Wrongful retention; damages

> Maine · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6034

## Section

- **Citation:** 14 M.R.S. § 6034
- **Heading:** 14 §6034. Wrongful retention; damages
- **Jurisdiction:** Maine
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** ME Code / Title 14 / Part 7 / Chapter 710-A / Section 6034

## Text

1. Notice to landlord of intention to bring suit; presumption on failure to return deposit. If the landlord fails to return the security deposit and provide the itemized statement within the time periods in section 6033 , the tenant shall give notice to the landlord of the tenant's intention to bring a legal action no less than 7 days prior to commencing the action. If the landlord fails to return the entire security deposit within the 7-day period, it is presumed that the landlord is wrongfully retaining the security deposit. [PL 1995, c. 52, §2 (AMD).]

2. Double damages for wrongful retention. The wrongful retention of a security deposit in violation of this chapter renders a landlord liable for double the amount of that portion of the security deposit wrongfully withheld from the tenant, together with reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. [PL 1995, c. 52, §2 (AMD).]

3. Burden of proof. In any court action brought by a tenant under this section, the landlord has the burden of proving that the landlord's withholding of the security deposit, or any portion of it, was not wrongful. [PL 1995, c. 52, §2 (AMD).]

## Nearby sections

- [14 M.R.S. § 6031 14 §6031. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6031.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6032 14 §6032. Maximum security deposit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6032.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6033 14 §6033. Return of the security deposit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6033.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6034 14 §6034. Wrongful retention; damages](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6034.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6035 14 §6035. Transfer of security deposit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6035.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6036 14 §6036. Waiver of provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6036.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6037 14 §6037. Exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6037.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6038 14 §6038. Treatment of security deposit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6038.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6039 14 §6039. Surety bonds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6039.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710-A_S6034. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.