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Either the landlord or the tenant can choose to end the lease if the other party has "materially breached" the lease. This requires a written 7-day notice, served in-hand, or, after 3 good faith efforts, mailed by first class mail, with a copy left at the other party's home.

In a tenancy at will, the landlord, or their agent, must deliver the 7-day or 30-day notice to the tenant in person. The notice does not have to be served by a sheriff. Exception: The landlord, or their agent, must make 3 good faith efforts to hand deliver you the notice.

Similarly, a tenant may terminate a lease lacking termination language upon 7 days' notice to the landlord in cases where the landlord has materially breached a provision of the lease.

A landlord must give you adequate notice before you are evicted or your rent is increased. The landlord cannot abuse your security deposits. Tenants always have a right to a court hearing before the landlord can evict them. Unfair rental contracts can be in violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.

If you are a tenant at will (no lease): Your landlord must give you either a 30-day or 7-day written notice to leave, or they can combine both of these into one notice. Any notice must advise you of your right to contest the eviction in court. This is called a "Notice to Quit."

Generally, a landlord can terminate a lease without reason at the expiration of the lease term. That means your landlord is under no obligation to renew your lease or allow you to stay on the property for additional time unless you are able to invoke an anti-retaliation law.