Deposit return deadline · Massachusetts
Massachusetts: return the deposit within 30 days
In Massachusetts, a landlord must return a tenant's security deposit — or account for what's being kept — within 30 days after the tenancy ends. The rule is M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Deducting? The paperwork rules
Not just itemized — SWORN. Deductions require a list signed under the pains and penalties of perjury, in precise detail, with written evidence (estimates, invoices, or receipts) attached.
The clean way to do this is a written letter with the deduction list and the ledger behind it — the deposit return letter template produces one, and a current rent ledger is the difference between documenting and reconstructing.
What missing the deadline costs
Treble damages: the listed violations cost you three times the deposit plus 5% interest, court costs, and the tenant's attorney's fees — and courts apply it without any bad-faith requirement.
Massachusetts is widely considered the strictest deposit regime in the country: separate in-state interest-bearing account, receipt with bank details within 30 days, statement of condition within 10 days, annual interest owed. Many Massachusetts landlords skip deposits entirely rather than risk technical noncompliance.
Never discover this deadline late
The return clock starts the day the tenancy ends — which means it's knowable weeks in advance. A free RentChime account tracks your lease dates and emails you before deadlines like this one arrive.
Not legal advice. This is a summary for general information, not legal advice. The statute linked above is the authority; cities can add stricter rules, and laws change. If a deposit is disputed, talk to a local attorney.
Common questions
When does the 30-day clock start?
Generally when the tenancy ends and the tenant has moved out. The statute linked above defines the trigger precisely.
Can I deduct for normal wear and tear?
No state allows deductions for ordinary wear and tear — deductions are for damage beyond it, unpaid rent, and other charges the lease and statute allow, itemized in writing.
What if I miss the deadline in good faith?
Penalties generally attach to bad-faith withholding, but missing the deadline can forfeit your right to keep any of the deposit even without bad faith. The safe play is the letter, itemized, on time.