Massachusetts Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Massachusetts, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §15B). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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Massachusetts deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1 month's rent
As of 2026. Source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §15B ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Massachusetts landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §15B). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Massachusetts landlord can charge?
Yes: 1 month's rent (as of 2026; source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §15B). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in Massachusetts if the landlord ignores this?
$7,000 base cap (G.L. c. 218 § 21) — but NO dollar limit for property damage caused by a motor vehicle; cities/towns may sue up to $15,000 (and for unpaid personal property taxes, any amount); double/treble damage awards (e.g., Ch. 93A consumer cases, security deposits) may exceed $7,000 as long as the base claim is within the cap. The court is the Small Claims sessions of the District Court, Boston Municipal Court, and Housing Court, and the filing fee is Tiered with surcharge: $40 (claims to $500), $45 ($501-$2,000), $50 ($2,001-$5,000), $150 ($5,001-$7,000) — mass.gov confirms the $40-$150 range.. As of 2026; source: Mass. Gen. Laws c. 218 § 21; Uniform Small Claims Rules.
Do I need a lawyer in Massachusetts small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed but not required.. Source: Mass. Gen. Laws c. 218 § 21; Uniform Small Claims Rules (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Massachusetts compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Massachusetts: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §15B ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Connecticut (30 days), New Hampshire (30 days), New York (14 days), Rhode Island (20 days), Vermont (14 days).
The rest of what Massachusetts requires
The figures below are Massachusetts's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Massachusetts page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1 month's rent Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §15B ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §15B ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 §15B ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 14 days to pay or quit M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 11, 11A, 12 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $7,000 Mass. Gen. Laws c. 218 § 21; Uniform Small Claims Rules ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims sessions of the District Court, Boston Municipal Court, and Housing Court · filing fee Tiered with surcharge: $40 (claims to $500), $45 ($501-$2,000), $50 ($2,001-$5,000), $150 ($5,001-$7,000) — mass.gov confirms the $40-$150 range. Mass. Gen. Laws c. 218 § 21; Uniform Small Claims Rules ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- Application fees are prohibited Massachusetts AG advisory ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Massachusetts RMV / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization recommended Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 190B §5-501/§5-502 ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules M.G.L. ch. 156C, § 2(9) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- Registry of Deeds (county/district; registered (Torrens) land goes through the Land Court registry districts) · no witnesses G.L. c. 183, § 29 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Massachusetts legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →