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FILING
AN EVICTION IN Maine
A Maine landlord must give you a written
Eviction Notice, sometimes called a "Notice To
Quit." If you do not have a lease, the Notice
will tell you that you have either 7 days or 30 days
to move out. (An oral eviction notice is generally
not legal). Keep your eviction notice.
The Maine Eviction Notice is not the same
thing as a court order. Your landlord cannot legally
evict you until he gets a court order allowing the
eviction.
If your landlord tries to evict you without
getting a court judgment, call the police. They
should help you as long as there is no court order.
As in most states, the landlord cannot legally
change the locks, shut off your utilities or try to
keep you out of your home.
At the end of the time period given in your
Eviction Notice (usually 7 days or 30 days), your
landlord can serve you with court eviction papers.
These are called a "Summons and
Complaint".
Usually, the notice of a court date gives you
only a short time to prepare (as little as 7 days).
If you can find a lawyer quickly enough, provide
this information to your lawyer as soon as possible:
- your eviction notice (sometimes called
"Notice to Quit")
- your lease or rental agreement (if you have
one)
- rent receipts or other evidence of payment
(if issue is non-payment)
- Summons and Complaint.
You should contact a local social services agency
or an attorney to assist you if you are served a
notice.
Landlords should be sure to use the proper forms
and documentation when serving notice.
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