Rentals

• There are a number of regulations covering real estate that is used as a rental property. These rules generally cover the rights and the responsibilities of the tenant and the property owner. For example, landlords in Maine are allowed to charge tenants a security deposit, but the deposit cannot be more than two months' rent.
  
  

Zoning

• The ability of the state or local government to plan ahead and determine how private land can be developed is generally covered under the state's zoning laws. For example, Maine Revised Statutes §5282 allows municipal governments to establish incentive zones for private land development, in order to encourage economic growth.
  
  

Agents

• Any one can buy or sell real estate on his own behalf. However, Maine requires real estate agents and brokers to meet specific state requirements.For example, according to the Department of Licensing and Registration of the State of Maine, anyone wishing to apply for a real estate broker's license must hold at least a high school diploma, be at least 18 years old, complete a state-designated broker course, and have been licensed as an associate broker for at least two years before applying.
  
  

Squatter's Rights

• Though commonly used, the term "squatter's rights" is not always well understood. These rights come from the law known as "adverse possession" and only apply in specific situations. Adverse possession is the concept that if someone openly uses a piece of land, continuously and with the knowledge of the owner, the user can gain legal title to that land if they use it for a long enough period of time. In Maine, property can be acquired through adverse possession only if the land has been used by the adverse party for at least 20 years.
  
  

Transactions

• Like other states, Maine requires some transactions to be completed in writing. Known generally as the statute of frauds, the Maine statute states that specific types of transactions are invalid unless in writing, including the contract for the sale of land or any interests concerning land.