Massachusetts Security Deposit Laws: Limits & Return Deadlines

If you’re renting a home or apartment in Massachusetts, understanding the rules around security deposits sets you up for a smooth tenancy and peace of mind when you move out. The state’s laws regulate how much a landlord can collect as a security deposit, how it must be handled, and the exact deadline for returning it after you move out.

How Much Can a Landlord Collect as a Security Deposit?

In Massachusetts, a landlord cannot charge more than one month’s rent as a security deposit. This limit applies each time you sign or renew a lease. Landlords also cannot demand additional security such as pet deposits or other extra charges beyond your first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and the security deposit itself.

• Maximum allowed: One month’s rent
• No separate pet or cleaning deposits—just the single security deposit

Security deposit laws are found in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186, Section 15B.^[1]

Security Deposit Receipts and Statement of Condition Form

Massachusetts law requires landlords to:

• Give you a written security deposit receipt within 30 days of receiving the deposit (note: exact form not prescribed, but the receipt must identify the bank and account information).
• Provide a Statement of Condition form within 10 days of your move-in. This statement lists any existing damage or issues with the rental, and you can add your own observations before signing.

Official Forms You Might Use

• Statement of Condition Form — No specific state form number, but Massachusetts law requires its use.
  • When to use: Complete and return within 15 days after you move in, listing any pre-existing problems.
  • Where to get it: Many landlords use their own, but you can find a sample from the Massachusetts government on the Tenant Rights & Responsibilities page.
  • Practical example: When you move in, walk through every room. Note scratches, stains, broken appliances, or other damage, then return the form to your landlord.

Keeping your own copy of the Statement of Condition protects you if the landlord later claims damage you didn’t cause.

How Must the Security Deposit Be Handled?

Landlords are required to:

• Place your deposit in a separate, interest-bearing account in a Massachusetts bank.
• Give you a receipt with the bank name, address, and account number where the deposit is held.
• Pay annual interest (at least 5% or the current bank rate, whichever is less) to you each year on the anniversary of your tenancy.

When Must a Security Deposit Be Returned?

After you move out, the landlord must return your security deposit (plus any earned interest) within 30 days. Deductions are only allowed for:

• Unpaid rent
• Unpaid increases in real estate taxes (if your lease states so)
• Damage beyond normal wear and tear (must be itemized and supported by invoices or estimates)

If there are deductions, you must receive an itemized list and documentation within the 30-day period.

Where to Seek Help if Your Security Deposit Is Withheld

The main tribunal that handles residential tenancy disputes in Massachusetts is the Massachusetts Housing Court. You can also contact the Attorney General’s Office for consumer protection or the Division of Consumer Affairs.

What Should You Do if a Landlord Doesn't Follow the Law?

• Send a written request demanding the return of your deposit and any interest owed
• Keep copies of receipts, correspondence, and your Statement of Condition
• If unresolved, file a claim in Housing Court or consult with the state Attorney General

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a landlord ask for more than one month’s rent as a security deposit?
   No. Massachusetts law sets the maximum security deposit at one month’s rent. Additional deposits, such as pet or cleaning deposits, are not allowed.
2. What should I do if my landlord doesn’t return my security deposit within 30 days?
   Send a written demand for the deposit. If you still don’t receive it, you can file a claim in Massachusetts Housing Court and may be entitled to up to three times the amount of the deposit if your landlord violated the law.
3. What is the Statement of Condition, and why does it matter?
   This form documents pre-existing damage. Completing and returning it within 15 days of moving in protects you from unfair damage charges when you move out.
4. Is the landlord required to pay interest on my security deposit?
   Yes. The landlord must pay annual interest—either 5% or the bank’s rate—on your security deposit each year.
5. What kinds of damage can my landlord deduct from the security deposit?
   Only damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear (like holes in walls or broken appliances), unpaid rent, or anything agreed in your lease such as real estate tax increases can be deducted.

Key Takeaways for Massachusetts Renters

• A landlord can only collect one month’s rent as a security deposit.
• The deposit must be placed in a separate, interest-bearing account; interest must be paid to you yearly.
• Your deposit (and interest) must be returned within 30 days after you move out, with any deductions fully itemized and documented.

Knowing your rights and keeping good records make it easier to get your full deposit back.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Massachusetts Housing Court — handles tenant-landlord disputes
• Official Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Guide
• MassLegalHelp: Housing Information (government-funded legal resource)
• Office of the Attorney General — consumer protection for tenants
• For fair housing concerns, visit the official Fair Housing Overview

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1. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186, Section 15B
2. Massachusetts Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
3. Massachusetts Housing Court
4. Massachusetts Attorney General: Consumer Protection

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