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

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6203-F (2026)

Foreclosure of bond for deed and contracts for sale of real estate

✓ current as of May 2026
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1.  Foreclosure procedure.  If the purchaser of real estate under a contract for the sale of real estate, including a bond for a deed, is in default of any of the terms of that contract, the seller or the seller's heirs or assigns may foreclose the rights of the purchaser in the contract not less than 30 days after giving the notice required by subsection 2 by any of the means provided by law for the foreclosure of mortgages, except that the redemption period is 60 days. Within the redemption period, the purchaser or a person claiming under the purchaser may apply to any Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court or Superior Court for an extension of time to redeem, and after such notice as the court may order, for good cause shown, the court may extend the redemption period to a maximum of one year. An extension order is not binding against any person without actual notice of the order unless, within the 60-day period, a written notice describing the land, identifying the instrument under which foreclosure proceedings have been brought and setting forth the fact that application for extension of the redemption period has been made, is recorded in the registry of deeds in the county in which the land is located. This section may not be construed to extend the life of options with an ascertainable time of termination. The remedy afforded by this section supplements other legal remedies that may be available to the seller.  
[PL 1991, c. 707, §2 (NEW).]
1-A.  Mediation.  Upon the request of either party, mediation must be provided as set forth in section 6321‑A if the premises are owner-occupied residential real property of no more than 4 units and the primary residence of the owner-occupant.  
[PL 2021, c. 350, §1 (NEW).]
2.  Notice of right to cure; application.  Before foreclosing the rights of the purchaser described in subsection 1, the seller or the seller's heirs or assigns must give written notice to the purchaser at the last known address of the purchaser that the purchaser has 30 days to cure the default by full payment of all amounts past due including reasonable interest and late charges specified in the contract. If the purchaser tenders payment of the amount before the date specified in the notice, the purchaser is restored to all rights under the contract as though the default had not occurred.  
A. A seller gives notice to the purchaser under this section by mailing the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the notice is undeliverable by certified mail, the seller must send the notice to the purchaser by ordinary mail. The time when notice is given is the date the purchaser signs the receipt or, if the notice is undeliverable by certified mail, the date the notice was sent by ordinary mail.   [PL 1991, c. 707, §2 (NEW).]
B. This subsection applies only to contracts for the sale of residential real estate located in this State, when the purchaser is in possession of the subject real estate. All other transactions are governed by the terms of the contract and applicable law.   [PL 1991, c. 707, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 1991, c. 707, §2 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1967, c. 544, §38 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 707, §2 (RPR). PL 2021, c. 350, §1 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case: John A. Thurston v. Jenny G. Galvin, 2014 ME 76 (Me. 2014).
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John A. Thurston v. Jenny G. Galvin, 2014 ME 76 (Me. 2014). · cites it 14× “She also contends that the court erred when, after finding her in default and foreclosing her rights in the contract pursuant to 14 M.R.S. § 6203-F (2013), it did not order a public sale pursuant to 14 M.”
McIntyre v. Plummer Assocs., 375 A.2d 1083 (Me. 1977). “14 M.R.S.A. § 6203-F permits a defaulting purchaser under a land sale contract to apply to a justice of the Supreme Judicial or Superior Court for an extension of the period of redemption.”
Kane v. Inhabitants of Harpswell (In Re Kane), 248 B.R. 216 (1st Cir. BAP 2000). “The residual rights of the title holder are so limited that the Maine Supreme Judicial Court held earlier this year that the record owner is not a necessary party when the prospective buyer under an installment sale contract commences an action to enforce a restrictive covenant.”
Sav. & Loan Ass'n of Bangor v. Tear, 435 A.2d 1083 (Me. 1981). “Pursuant to 14 M.R.S.A. §§ 6203-F, 6321-6325 (1980), The Savings & Loan Association of Bangor (hereafter S & L) brought this action in Superior Court, Pe-nobscot County, to foreclose the rights of defendants Thomas and Mary Tear in a contract for the sale by S & L of real estate…”
Thompson v. Skowhegan Sav. Bank, 433 A.2d 434 (Me. 1981). “The Bank answered, moved to dismiss the complaint and counterclaimed for foreclosure pursuant to 14 M.R.S.A. § 6203-F by reason of the plaintiffs’ failure to make the payments required by the agreement.”
Perkins v. Penney, 387 A.2d 205 (Me. 1978). “14 M.R.S.A. § 6203-F provides: “If the purchaser of real estate under a contract for the sale of real estate, including a bond for a deed, shall be in default of any of the terms of such contract, the seller, his heirs or assigns may foreclose the rights of the purchaser in said…”
Carney v. Bergeron, 518 A.2d 717 (Me. 1986). “Although the sale was never completed, Carney did not foreclose on Bergerons’ equitable rights in the premises pursuant to 14 M.R.S.A. § 6203-F (1980). Instead, she sent a Notice to Quit to the Bergerons.”
H.A.T., LLC v. Greenleaf Apartmetns, LLC, 2026 ME 20 (Me. 2026). · cites it 5× “See 14 M.R.S. § 6203-F. As a result, we address the argument as if there was no waiver.”
Theobald Trust v. Littlefield (Me. Super. Ct 2016). “In accordance with the statutory provision cited in the Contract, 14 MRSA §6203-F, the Court concludes the Plaintiffs are entitled to a Judgment in their favor with respect to their foreclosure claim, and that the Defendants are entitled to a 60 day period of redemption to…”
United States v. NEWMAN (D. Me. 2025). “§ 943 (providing foreclosure for real estate tax liens); 14 M.R.S. § 6203-F (foreclosure remedy available for real estate seller when purchaser defaults); 14 M.”
Hammond v. Stiles, 567 A.2d 444 (Me. 1989). “” Defendants defaulted and plaintiffs foreclosed by serving written notice of foreclosure pursuant to 14 M.R.S.A. §§ 6203-F and 6203(2) (1980).”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6203-F(1) — 1 case
John A. Thurston v. Jenny G. Galvin, 2014 ME 76 (Me. 2014). “She also contends that the court erred when, after finding her in default and foreclosing her rights in the contract pursuant to 14 M.R.S. § 6203-F (2013), it did not order a public sale pursuant to 14 M.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6203-F(2) — 1 case
H.A.T., LLC v. Greenleaf Apartmetns, LLC, 2026 ME 20 (Me. 2026). “See 14 M.R.S. § 6203-F. As a result, we address the argument as if there was no waiver.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6203-F(2)(B) — 1 case
H.A.T., LLC v. Greenleaf Apartmetns, LLC, 2026 ME 20 (Me. 2026). “See 14 M.R.S. § 6203-F. As a result, we address the argument as if there was no waiver.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 6203-F(l) — 1 case
John A. Thurston v. Jenny G. Galvin, 2014 ME 76 (Me. 2014). “She also contends that the court erred when, after finding her in default and foreclosing her rights in the contract pursuant to 14 M.R.S. § 6203-F (2013), it did not order a public sale pursuant to 14 M.”
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