Massachusetts security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Massachusetts: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

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.

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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. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 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. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Massachusetts tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Massachusetts's official statutory text as of 2026-09-07. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.

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TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, 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.