# 14 M.R.S. § 6024-A: 14 §6024-A. Landlord failure to pay for utility service

> Maine · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6024-A

## Section

- **Citation:** 14 M.R.S. § 6024-A
- **Heading:** 14 §6024-A. Landlord failure to pay for utility service
- **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 / Section 6024-A

## Text

1. Deduct from rent. If a landlord fails to pay for utility service in the name of the landlord, the tenant, in accordance with Title 35‑A, section 706 , may pay for the utility service and deduct the amount paid from the rent due to the landlord. [PL 2009, c. 566, §11 (NEW).]

2. Award damages. In addition to the remedy set forth in subsection 1 , upon a finding by a court that a landlord has failed to pay for utility service in the name of the landlord, the court shall award to the tenant actual damages in the amount actually paid for utilities by the tenant or $100, whichever is greater, together with the aggregate amount of costs and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the action. The court may also award to the tenant reasonable attorney's fees. [PL 2009, c. 566, §11 (NEW).]

3. Presumption. In any action brought pursuant to subsection 2 , there is a rebuttable presumption that the landlord knowingly failed to pay for the utility service. If the landlord rebuts this presumption, the landlord is liable to the tenant only for actual damages suffered by the tenant. [PL 2009, c. 566, §11 (NEW).]

## Nearby sections

- [14 M.R.S. § 6021 14 §6021. Implied warranty and covenant of habitability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6021.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6021-A 14 §6021-A. Treatment of bedbug infestation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6021-A.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6022 14 §6022. Receipts for rent payments and security deposits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6022.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6022-A 14 §6022-A. Limit on initial amount paid by tenant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6022-A.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6023 14 §6023. Agency](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6023.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6024 14 §6024. Heat and utilities in common areas](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6024.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6024-A 14 §6024-A. Landlord failure to pay for utility service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6024-A.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6025 14 §6025. Access to premises](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6025.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6025-A 14 §6025-A. Access to care for animals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6025-A.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6026 14 §6026. Dangerous conditions requiring minor repairs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6026.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6026-A 14 §6026-A. Municipal intervention to provide for basic necessities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6026-A.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6028 14 §6028. Penalties for late payment of rent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6028.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6030 14 §6030. Unfair agreements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6030.md)
- [14 M.R.S. § 6030-A 14 §6030-A. Protection of rental property or tenants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6030-A.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C710_S6024-A. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.