Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §6001, sub-§5 is enacted to read:

5. Nonpayment of rent.__If a tenant with a written lease receives a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent and has no defense for nonpayment, the tenant must escrow the amount of rent owed with the District Court in order to receive a hearing on the notice.__If a tenant under this subsection fails to escrow to the District Court the amount of rent owed within 3 days after the expiration of the notice to quit, the court shall issue a writ of possession.

SUMMARY

This bill requires a tenant with a written lease who receives a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent and has no defense for nonpayment to place the amount of rent owed in escrow with the District Court in order to receive a hearing on the notice. If a tenant who receives a notice to quit for nonpayment does not place the amount of rent owned in escrow within 3 days after the expiration of the notice to quit, the court shall issue a writ of possession.