Calculate Your Massachusetts Deposit Deadline & Statutory Damages
Enter your move-out / key-surrender date and deposit amount to check whether your landlord is past the Massachusetts statutory deadline under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B.
Massachusetts Security Deposit Law Quick Facts
| Governing Statute | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B |
|---|---|
| Return Deadline | 30 days (30 days after termination of occupancy (strict compliance required including sworn itemized statement and repair receipts)) |
| Maximum Deposit Cap | 1 month's rent |
| Bad-Faith / Late Penalty | Up to 3.0x — Mandatory three times (3x) the full security deposit amount plus 5% interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees |
| Small Claims Court Limit | $7,000 |
| Interest Required? | Yes — 5% per year or actual bank interest rate paid annually in a separate Massachusetts bank escrow account |
| Walkthrough / Inspection | Landlord must provide signed Statement of Condition within 10 days of tenancy start; cannot deduct for normal wear and tear |
Example: On a $1,800 deposit wrongfully withheld past the 30-day deadline in Massachusetts, statutory provisions allow claims up to $5,400 (3.0x) in Small Claims Court (limit $7,000).
Landlord Missed the Deadline or Overcharging for Normal Wear?
Get the complete Keep the Deposit Recovery System: our 48-Hour Move-Out & Dispute Handbook, 7 Fill-in-the-Blank Statutory Demand Letters (citing Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B), the 50-State Reference Guide, and the Excel Prorated Depreciation Audit Workbook.
- Certified-mail demand templates for missed deadlines & itemized receipt requests
- HUD carpet, paint & appliance useful-life prorated deduction calculator (.xlsx + PDF)
- Room-by-room photo evidence log & small-claims preparation checklist
How to Dispute Unfair Carpet, Paint & Cleaning Deductions in Massachusetts
Even when a Massachusetts landlord mails an itemized list within 30 days, they cannot charge you for normal wear and tear or bill you 100% of the replacement cost for an aged asset that has already exhausted most of its useful life.
1. Useful-Life Proration
Standard apartment carpet depreciates over 5 years (60 months). If carpet was 4 years old at move-out, the maximum recoverable value is 20% — never a full replacement bill.
2. Statutory Demand Notice
Send a written demand via Certified Mail citing Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B and giving a firm 7-to-10 business day deadline before filing in Massachusetts Small Claims Court.
3. Prorated Audit Calculator
Use our free Carpet & Paint Depreciation Calculator to calculate the exact legal deduction cap in seconds.