Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 14
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6014 (2026)

Remedies for illegal evictions

✓ current as of May 2026
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1.  Illegal evictions.  Except as permitted by Title 15, chapter 517 or Title 17, chapter 91, evictions that are effected without resort to the provisions of this chapter are illegal and against public policy. Illegal evictions include, but are not limited to, the following.  
A. No landlord may willfully cause, directly or indirectly, the interruption or termination of any utility service being supplied to the tenant including, but not limited to, water, heat, light, electricity, gas, telephone, sewerage, elevator or refrigeration, whether or not the utility service is under the control of the landlord, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs are in process or during temporary emergencies.   [PL 1981, c. 428, §8 (NEW).]
B. No landlord may willfully seize, hold or otherwise directly or indirectly deny a tenant access to and possession of the tenant's rented or leased premises, other than through proper judicial process.   [PL 1981, c. 428, §8 (NEW).]
C. No landlord may willfully seize, hold or otherwise directly or indirectly deny a tenant access to and possession of the tenant's property, other than by proper judicial process.   [PL 1981, c. 428, §8 (NEW).]
[PL 1995, c. 66, §1 (AMD).]
2.  Remedies.  Upon a finding that an illegal eviction has occurred, the court shall find one or both of the following.  
A. The tenant is entitled to recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater.   [PL 1991, c. 666 (AMD).]
B. The tenant is entitled to recover the aggregate amount of costs and expenses determined by the court to have been reasonably incurred on the tenant's behalf in connection with the prosecution or defense of such action, together with a reasonable amount for attorneys' fees.   [PL 1991, c. 666 (AMD).]
[PL 1991, c. 666 (AMD).]
3.  Good faith.  A court may award attorneys' fees to the defendant if, upon motion and hearing, it is determined that an action filed pursuant to this section was not brought in good faith and was frivolous or intended for harassment only.  
[PL 1981, c. 428, §8 (NEW).]
4.  Nonexclusivity.  The remedies provided in this section are in addition to any other rights and remedies conferred by law.  
[PL 1981, c. 428, §8 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1981, c. 428, §8 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 666 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 66, §1 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 29 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1986–2023 · leading case: Reardon v. Lovely Dev., Inc., 2004 ME 74 (Me. 2004).
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Reardon v. Lovely Dev., Inc., 2004 ME 74 (Me. 2004). · cites it 5× “…fees incurred "in connection with the prosecution or defense of such action.” 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (2003). 2 . 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (2003).”
Higgins v. Penobscot Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't, 446 F.3d 11 (1st Cir. 2006). · cites it 2× “The court also granted defendants judgment on the pleadings on Higgins’ claim under Maine’s unlawful eviction statute, 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014. Hig *12 gins brings this appeal to challenge these rulings.”
Mancini v. Scott, 2000 ME 19 (Me. 2000). · cites it 2× “See 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (Supp.1999). After a hearing, the Superior Court awarded $20,000 in attorney fees to Mancini, and $5,000 in attorney fees to Scott and Saunders, reasoning that although the jury had returned verdicts in favor of both parties, Mancini was “clearly the…”
King v. King, 507 A.2d 1057 (Me. 1986). · cites it 2× “1 On appeal defendant argues (1) that the Superior Court lacks subject-mattér jurisdiction to entertain an action for illegal eviction, (2) that the illegal eviction statute, 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (Supp. 1985-1986), precludes jury trials, and (3) that there is insufficient evidence…”
Withers v. Hackett, 1998 ME 164 (Me. 1998). “14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (Supp.1997) provides that a tenant who has been illegally evicted by his landlord can recover the reasonable attorney fees that he incurs in the prosecution of his claim.”
Clark v. Goodridge, 632 A.2d 125 (Me. 1993). · cites it 3× “The case arises from Clark’s claims that defendants illegally evicted her from her apartment in violation of 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (Supp.1992), and unlawfully entered her apartment contrary to the provisions of 14 M.”
Newbury v. Virgin, 802 A.2d 413 (Me. 2002). “See 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (Supp.2001) (attorney fees may be awarded to tenant illegally evicted).”
Rodriguez v. Tomes, 610 A.2d 262 (Me. 1992). · cites it 3× “The court (Fritzsche, J) granted the motion in part, indicating that the tax returns and any hand-written notes be turned over.”
Francis v. Dana-Cummings, 2007 ME 16 (Me. 2007). “14 M.R.S. § 6014 (2006). 7 . 5 M.R.S. § 4682(1-A).”
Harris v. Soley, 2000 ME 150 (Me. 2000). “, 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (Supp.1999) (providing tenants with remedy for wrongful eviction); 14 M.”
Francis v. Dana-Cummings, 2004 ME 4 (Me. 2004). “14M.R.S.A. § 6014(2003). 4 . The Authority responded to Francis’s appeal by filing a brief and presenting oral argument before us.”
Casco N. Bank, N.A. v. Green Corp. (In Re Green Corp.), 154 B.R. 819 (Bankr. D. Me. 1993). “(forcible entry and detainer remedies including notice requirements for tenants including tenants at will); 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (statutory remedies for illegal eviction); 14 M.”
Show all 29 citing cases →
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6014(1) — 3 cases
Reardon v. Lovely Dev., Inc., 2004 ME 74 (Me. 2004). “…fees incurred "in connection with the prosecution or defense of such action.” 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (2003). 2 . 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (2003).”
Douglas v. Lalumiere (D. Me. 2022).
Glenn v. Bakala (Me. Super. Ct 2008).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6014(2) — 3 cases
Reardon v. Lovely Dev., Inc., 2004 ME 74 (Me. 2004). “…fees incurred "in connection with the prosecution or defense of such action.” 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (2003). 2 . 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (2003).”
Moore v. Porter, 569 A.2d 603 (Me. 1990).
Beal v. Ordway (Me. Super. Ct 2013).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6014(2)(A) — 4 cases
Reardon v. Lovely Dev., Inc., 2004 ME 74 (Me. 2004). “…fees incurred "in connection with the prosecution or defense of such action.” 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (2003). 2 . 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (2003).”
Degenhardt v. Ewe Ltd. P'ship, 13 A.3d 790 (Me. 2011).
Stevens v. Kinsey (Me. Super. Ct 2020).
Beal v. Ordway (Me. Super. Ct 2013).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6014(2)(B) — 7 cases
Mancini v. Scott, 2000 ME 19 (Me. 2000). “See 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (Supp.1999). After a hearing, the Superior Court awarded $20,000 in attorney fees to Mancini, and $5,000 in attorney fees to Scott and Saunders, reasoning that although the jury had returned verdicts in favor of both parties, Mancini was “clearly the…”
Newbury v. Virgin, 802 A.2d 413 (Me. 2002). “See 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (Supp.2001) (attorney fees may be awarded to tenant illegally evicted).”
Reardon v. Lovely Dev., Inc., 2004 ME 74 (Me. 2004). “…fees incurred "in connection with the prosecution or defense of such action.” 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014(2)(B) (2003). 2 . 14 M.R.S.A. § 6014 (2003).”
Rodriguez v. Tomes, 610 A.2d 262 (Me. 1992). “The court (Fritzsche, J) granted the motion in part, indicating that the tax returns and any hand-written notes be turned over.”
Teresa Sands v. Donald E. Thomas, 2017 ME 98 (Me. 2017).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6014(2003) — 1 case
Francis v. Dana-Cummings, 2004 ME 4 (Me. 2004). “14M.R.S.A. § 6014(2003). 4 . The Authority responded to Francis’s appeal by filing a brief and presenting oral argument before us.”
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