Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6000–6016-A § 6004
Commencement of action
Operative Text
1. Summons and complaint; service. The process of forcible entry and detainer must be commenced and service made in the same manner as other civil actions, except that if at least 3 good faith efforts on 3 different days have been made to serve the defendant, service may be accomplished by both mailing the summons and complaint by first-class mail to the defendant's last known address and leaving the summons and complaint at the defendant's last and usual place of abode. If service has been made by mailing and posting the summons and complaint, the plaintiff shall file with the court an affidavit demonstrating that compliance with the requirement of service has occurred. When the plaintiff lives out of the State and a recognizance is required of the plaintiff, any person may recognize in the plaintiff's behalf and is personally liable. 2. Form notice. If the defendant is a residential tenant, the plaintiff shall attach to the summons and complaint that is served on the defendant as provided in subsection 1 a one-page to 2-page form notice provided by the judicial branch in consultation with other resources and posted on the publicly accessible website of the judicial branch, written in language that is plain and readily understandable by the general public, that contains at a minimum the following: A. A description of the court procedure to be followed in the case, including a clear explanation of the process that must be followed before a tenant is required to vacate a rental unit; B. A statement that failure to appear at any scheduled status conference or hearing may result in the entry of judgment in favor of the landlord, which would require the tenant to leave the rental unit; C. A list of rental assistance programs available to residential tenants; D. A list of resources that provide legal information and representation available to residential tenants; E. A list of resources that provide housing counseling available to residential tenants; F. A statement that either party may request, or the court may at any time refer the parties to, mediation on any issue; and G. A court-approved form to request mediation. 3. Notice of counsel. If the court has been advised that an attorney is available to represent tenants in actions of forcible entry and detainer on a day that the court is planning to hold hearings on actions of forcible entry and detainer, the court shall announce the availability of that attorney prior to the commencement of proceedings for actions of forcible entry and detainer on that day. Failure of the court to comply with the requirements of this subsection is not grounds for dismissal of the action or to set aside or appeal any judgment entered against the tenant.
Maine law under 14 M.R.S. § 6000 § 6004 sets out how a forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action must be started and served on a defendant. If standard service attempts fail after at least three good-faith tries on three separate days, the law permits an alternative method combining first-class mail to the defendant's last known address and posting at their last and usual place of abode, with an affidavit filed to confirm compliance. When a residential tenant is the defendant, the landlord must also attach a one- to two-page plain-language notice—prepared by the judicial branch—covering court procedures, potential consequences of missing hearings, rental assistance programs, legal resources, housing counseling, and mediation options. Courts are also directed to announce the availability of any attorney present to assist tenants before eviction hearings begin.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 14 M.R.S. § 6000 § 6004, operators initiating a forcible entry and detainer action generally ensure that service is attempted in the same manner as other civil actions, documenting each attempt carefully. If alternative service by mail and posting becomes necessary after three documented good-faith attempts on three different days, a compliant operator files the required affidavit with the court confirming that service was properly completed. When the defendant is a residential tenant, landlords are required to attach the judicial branch's official one- to two-page form notice to the summons and complaint at the time of service, covering items such as court procedures, rental assistance resources, and mediation options.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 6004 of Title 14 of Maine Revised Statutes provides residential tenants with important procedural protections at the outset of an eviction case, including the right to receive a plain-language notice alongside the summons and complaint explaining court procedures, what happens if a hearing is missed, available rental assistance programs, legal representation resources, housing counseling, and how to request mediation. Tenants who do not receive this required notice, or who believe service was not properly completed, may have grounds to raise those issues in the eviction proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources—which must be listed in the notice itself under 14 M.R.S. § 6000 § 6004—can help tenants understand available options, including requesting mediation or connecting with an attorney who may be present at the courthouse on hearing days.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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