Clark & Howell

Evicting a Tenant

9/5/2013

At Clark & Howell we represent both landlords and tenants in eviction matters.  The legal process in Maine for evicting a person from a residential or commercial property is known as “forcible entry and detainer.”  Maine has very specific statutory provisions regarding the eviction process, so whether you are a landlord or a tenant it is important to know the law and understand your rights and obligations.

Eviction Process 

Landlords may commence the eviction process by serving their tenant with “notice of termination.”  Typically, tenants must be given a minimum of 30 days notice of the landlord’s intent to evict them, but there are a handful of circumstances that justify the use of a 7-day eviction notice.  When providing a 7-day notice of termination (or notice to quit) to a tenant, there is specific statutory language that must be included in the notice in order for it to be legally viable and upheld in a court of law. 

We Provide Legal Assistance in Landlord-Tenant Situations

The attorneys at Clark & Howell have a great deal of experience in drafting these types of notices, and we can be of assistance at any stage of the eviction process.  It is important to note, however, that when going through the eviction process it is always smarter to involve an attorney sooner rather than later.  Mistakes made during the forcible entry and detainer process can cause unnecessary delays and loss of money.  Call the attorneys at Clark & Howell to assist you with your eviction or landlord-tenant dispute.