Legal and tenant help in Maine
The short answer
In Maine, paying the rent owed before a 7 day notice runs out stops that eviction. Even after a case is filed, paying all rent plus the landlord's court costs before the writ of possession can stop it. Get help from Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
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What Pine Tree Legal Assistance says
- If you have no lease and are 7 or more days behind, the landlord can give a 7 day written notice. Pay the rent owed as of the notice date before it runs out and the notice is void for the back rent.
- After the landlord files, you can still stop it by paying all rent owed plus the filing and service costs, up until the court issues the writ of possession.
- You must get the court papers at least 14 days before the hearing.
- If you lose and don't appeal, the landlord can get a writ of possession 7 days later, and then you have 48 hours to move. To be safe, file any appeal within 6 days of the judge's order.
Official pages: ptla.org/rights-maine-renters-eviction, courts.maine.gov/help/eviction/evict-tenant.html
Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Pine Tree Legal holds a live virtual information session with a lawyer every Tuesday at 9 AM, and has local offices around Maine.
Official pages: ptla.org/rights-maine-renters-eviction, ptla.org/local-offices
Fair housing
The Maine Human Rights Commission takes housing discrimination complaints. You can also file with HUD.
Official pages: maine.gov/mhrc, hud.gov/fairhousing
More help in Maine
Sources last checked October 27, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it.
Nothing here is a promise of a bed, money or a spot in any program. Each place decides who it can serve. You choose what feels right for you.