United States · ME

Evicting a bad tenant in Maine costs ~$8,120.

That's the typical combined hit from filing fees, 2months of lost rent, property damage, legal costs, and turnover — per bad tenant. Here's the full breakdown and a calculator for your specific situation.

Filing fee

$120

District Court

Avg timeline

60 days

~9 weeks

Lost rent

$2,800

2 months at $1,400/mo

Property damage

$2,500

Beyond security deposit

Legal fees

$1,200

Attorney + court costs

Turnover

$1,500

Repairs, cleaning, re-listing

Most of that $8,120 is preventable with proper screening.

5 free screenings to start — no credit card required.

How Maine handles evictions

Strong tenant protections including longer notice periods.

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Adjust the inputs to model your specific situation in Maine.

Default: regional median

Filing → unit re-rented

Beyond security deposit

Court filing fee

$120

Lost rent during process

2 months at $1,400/mo

$2,800

Property damage

$2,500

Legal fees

$1,200

Turnover & re-listing

$1,500

Estimated total loss

$8,120

That's what one bad tenant typically costs a Maine landlord.

5 free screenings · no credit card required

Most of that loss is preventable.

Bad tenants almost always leave a paper trail — the problem is that most landlords don't check carefully. Here's what a proper screening catches before you sign the lease.

Fake pay stubs & inflated income

AI analysis catches font mismatches, math errors, and metadata red flags in uploaded income documents.

Identity that doesn't match

Cross-reference of public records and uploaded documents flags name, employer, or address inconsistencies the applicant didn't explain.

Former landlord reference gaps

Automated verification reaches out directly — applicants can't forward requests to a friend pretending to be their landlord.

Maine eviction cost FAQ

How much does it cost to evict someone in Maine?

A typical contested eviction in Maine costs around $8,120 all-in: a $120 filing fee, roughly 2 months of lost rent ($2,800 at a typical $1,400/mo), plus legal fees, property damage beyond the deposit, and turnover costs. Uncontested cases cost less.

How long does an eviction take in Maine?

About 60 days (~9 weeks) on average from notice to lockout. Strong tenant protections including longer notice periods.

How much is the eviction filing fee in Maine?

$120, filed with the District Court. Service, writ, and execution fees are typically extra and vary by county/court.

What court handles evictions in Maine?

Evictions in Maine are handled by the District Court.

Sources & methodology

Filing fees and timelines reflect the District Court and public tribunal fee schedules; cost figures are estimates compiled from public court schedules, Eviction Lab, and state guides — actual costs vary by county, contest status, and market conditions.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.

Maine landlord-tenant laws

Deposit caps, late fees, entry notice, and required disclosures for Maine.

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The fix

$99 of screening vs $8,120 in losses.

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