How many days does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law gives landlords 30 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4) (deadline/itemization); § 15B(6)–(7) (forfeiture and treble damages).

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Massachusetts?

Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4) (deadline/itemization); § 15B(6)–(7) (forfeiture and treble damages), allowed deductions generally include unpaid rent or water charges not validly withheld or deducted under law and an unpaid real-estate-tax increase owed under a conforming tax-escalation clause. Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

Founding price — $39 per case·Ends in 2:00:00

Massachusetts security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Massachusetts

Your landlord has 30 days under Massachusetts law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

We go after every dollar of your deposit — and we don't stop until it's resolved.Letter ready in 30 min · Ships today.

Not satisfied? Full refund, no questions asked.

Step 2 of 3

When did you move out?

This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.

Statute-verified in 50 U.S. jurisdictions and counting — everywhere else, a specialist prepares your case by hand until verification clears.

Statutes verified against official sources

USPS Certified Mail with return receipt

Every letter reviewed before it mails

Massachusetts security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4) (deadline/itemization); § 15B(6)–(7) (forfeiture and treble damages)

The lessor must return the deposit or balance within thirty days after termination of occupancy (tenancy-at-will) or the end of the tenancy specified in a valid written lease — no tenant demand or forwarding-address condition. Any damage deduction requires, within the same 30 days, an itemized list SWORN TO under the pains and penalties of perjury, itemizing in precise detail the nature of the damage and necessary repairs, with written evidence of cost (estimates, bills, invoices or receipts). Accrued 5%/yr (or actual bank-rate) interest must also be paid within the 30 days. An unsworn damage list is noncompliant, and failure to give the itemized list within 30 days forfeits the right to retain ANY portion. The deposit must sit in a separate interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account with a receipt naming the bank and account number given within 30 days of receipt — failure entitles the tenant to immediate return. Deposit may not exceed one month's rent. Any conflicting lease provision is void. Exemption: vacation/recreational rentals of 100 days or less.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Massachusetts?

Allowed

✓Unpaid rent or water charges not validly withheld or deducted under law
✓An unpaid real-estate-tax increase owed under a conforming tax-escalation clause
✓A reasonable amount to repair damage caused by the tenant or persons under the tenant's control, reasonable wear and tear excluded

Not allowed

✗Any purpose other than those set forth in the section
✗Damage listed on the initial statement of condition (or the tenant's signed supplemental list) unless the landlord repaired it and proves the renewed damage is unrelated
✗Normal wear and tear

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Massachusetts?

If the lessor fails to deposit the funds in a proper account, transfer them on sale, or return the balance within 30 days, the tenant SHALL be awarded damages equal to THREE TIMES the amount of the deposit or balance due, plus 5 percent interest from when payment became due, together with court costs and reasonable attorney's fees (§ 15B(7)). The award is mandatory — no bad-faith showing required.

How TenantNex helps

1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
2. We generate a demand letter citing Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4) (deadline/itemization); § 15B(6)–(7) (forfeiture and treble damages) and your exact deadline.
3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

$39 per case — founding price, one flat fee, no subscription.

Massachusetts tenant rights resources

HUD — tenant rights and resources
Find your state's consumer protection / Attorney General office
Key statute: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4) (deadline/itemization); § 15B(6)–(7) (forfeiture and treble damages) — verified against the official text on 2026-09-07.

Every fact on this page is verified against Massachusetts's official statutory text as of 2026-09-07. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.

Prefer it in writing?

We'll email you a free breakdown of what Massachusetts law says you're owed.

See what you're owed

FREE · 30 seconds

Your money is due back

30 days

Massachusetts law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.

If they wrongfully withhold

up to 3× your deposit

Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4) (deadline/itemization); § 15B(6)–(7) (forfeiture and treble damages) — verified against the official statute 2026-09-07

Your 30 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 3× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.

Secure checkout · Letter ready in 30 min · Full refund if not satisfied

Used by renters in 4 states — 15 people in the past two weeks found out exactly what they're owed this way.

We don't stop at mailing it. If your landlord doesn't respond, we follow up at day 7 and day 14 — and help you build the evidence and paperwork for small claims if it comes to that. Real result: we helped Kathleen A. (Ohio) recover her full $3,000 deposit this way.

Pay once. We handle the rest.

One case, one price — the letter, the certified mailing, the tracking, and the follow-up. No subscription, no recurring anything.

You pay onceWe prepare & review your letterUSPS Certified to your landlordYou track it to their door

Option	Price	Effort	Follow-up
Do it yourself	—	All of it	You chase
TenantNex	$39	Done for you	We chase
Small-claims services	$149–448	—	—
Hire an attorney	$300–2,000+	—	—

An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.

One-time launch price

Recover

$39

Founding price — one time

We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.

Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days

See the full deposit demand letter guide →

Two minutes on what actually works

All videos →

What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.