Start with Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B. In Massachusetts, The cap is 1 month's rent (last month’s rent and key/lock fees are regulated separately). The return deadline is 30 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions. Interest: Yes — landlords must pay interest on security deposits at 5% or the bank rate actually earned, credited annually. That is the question this guide answers for getting a security deposit back. Violations can support treble damages of the interest or deposit wrongfully withheld, plus attorney fees, under the stringent § 15B scheme.
Deposit limits in Massachusetts
1 month's rent (last month’s rent and key/lock fees are regulated separately)
When the deposit must be returned
30 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions
How the Massachusetts rule applies
Apply the Massachusetts authorities in order. The facts are simplified so the statute and the standard are visible.
A residential tenant moves out of a Massachusetts rental and the landlord has not returned the deposit.
- Check the cap that applied when the deposit was collected: 1 month's rent (last month’s rent and key/lock fees are regulated separately).
- Calendar the return deadline: 30 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions
- Interest, if any: Yes — landlords must pay interest on security deposits at 5% or the bank rate actually earned, credited annually.
- If the landlord keeps money without the required accounting: Violations can support treble damages of the interest or deposit wrongfully withheld, plus attorney fees, under the stringent § 15B scheme.
Massachusetts § 15B tightly regulates deposits: one-month cap, escrow/interest rules, and 30-day itemized return. Noncompliance often triggers treble damages. Housing Court or small claims are common forums.
Interest and accounting
Yes — landlords must pay interest on security deposits at 5% or the bank rate actually earned, credited annually.
Penalties for wrongful withholding
Violations can support treble damages of the interest or deposit wrongfully withheld, plus attorney fees, under the stringent § 15B scheme.
Practical process for tenants and landlords
Massachusetts § 15B tightly regulates deposits: one-month cap, escrow/interest rules, and 30-day itemized return. Noncompliance often triggers treble damages. Housing Court or small claims are common forums.
Document the unit with dated photos or video at move-in and move-out, keep the lease and any inspection checklist, and send a dated written demand if the deadline passes without a lawful accounting.
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Case law: security deposits in Massachusetts
Deborah McGrath & Another vs. Elliott I. Mishara & Another
Deborah McGrath & Another vs. Elliott I. Mishara & Another, 386 Mass. 74 (1982)
…t for improper demands for rent and unlawful retention of a security deposit. The following facts found by the Housing Court judge are material to the issues on appeal. From January 15, 1974, until June 30, 1976, the plaintiffs (tenants) rented an apartment in the Allston section of Boston from the defendant Arashim Company (landlord). The apartment was subject to rent control…
Massachusetts opinions such as Deborah McGrath & Another vs. Elliott I. Mishara & Another are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "The following facts found by the Housing Court judge are material to the issues on appeal. From January 15, 1974, until June 30, 1976, the plaintiffs (tenants) rented an apartment in the Allston section of Boston from the defendant Arashim Company (landlord)." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Hampshire Village Associates & Another vs. District Court of Hampshire & Another
…7, to July 31, 1978, and received $533 from the tenant as a security deposit. Apparently the tenant quit the apartment in early August, 1978, *149 but it was not until September 18, 1978, that the landlord remitted $279.01 to the tenant, representing the security deposit plus accrued interest less an amount for repairs, replacements, and unpaid rent claimed to be chargeable to…
On security deposits, Hampshire Village Associates & Another vs. District Court of Hampshire & Another speaks to the Massachusetts dispute in this passage: "July 31, 1978, and received $533 from the tenant as a security deposit. Apparently the tenant quit the apartment in early August, 1978, *149 but it was not until September 18, 1978, that the landlord remitted $279." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Garth Meikle vs. Patricia Nurse
Garth Meikle vs. Patricia Nurse, 474 Mass. 207 (2016)
…al we decide whether a tenant may assert a violation of the security deposit statute, G. L. c. 186, § 15B, as a defense to a landlord’s claim for possession in a summary process action brought under G. L. c. 239, § 1. The issue arises from a Housing Court judge’s disposition of a summary process action brought by Garth Meikle, the landlord, against Patricia Nurse, the tenant. A…
Garth Meikle vs. Patricia Nurse is worth reading on Massachusetts security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "G. L. c. 186, § 15B, as a defense to a landlord’s claim for possession in a summary process action brought under G. L. c. 239, § 1." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Vasant Jinwala vs. Loretta Bizzaro
Vasant Jinwala vs. Loretta Bizzaro, 24 Mass. App. Ct. 1 (1987)
…ed a counterclaim alleging violation by the landlord of the security deposit law. See G. L. c. 186, § 15B. It is undisputed that the landlord did violate the security deposit law by (1) failing to put the security deposit of $600 in a separate, interest-bearing account in a bank (G. L. c. 186, § 15B[3][a]), (2) failing to pay interest on the security deposit (§ 15B[3][b]), and…
Massachusetts opinions such as Vasant Jinwala vs. Loretta Bizzaro are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "See G. L. c. 186, § 15B. It is undisputed that the landlord did violate the security deposit law by (1) failing to put the security deposit of $600 in a separate, interest-bearing account in a bank (G. L. c." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Shoreh Karaa & Another vs. Kuk Yim & Others
Shoreh Karaa & Another vs. Kuk Yim & Others, 86 Mass. App. Ct. 714 (2014)
…this landlord-tenant case is the proper application of the security deposit provisions in G. L. c. 186, § 15B. The residential property was owned by Shoreh Karaa and Fadi Karaa (collectively, the Karaas), and rented by China Real Estate Development Investment & Trust Fund Corporation (CREDIT), Kuk Yim, and Chiung Fong (collectively, the tenants). After a bench trial, the Super…
Shoreh Karaa & Another vs. Kuk Yim & Others is worth reading on Massachusetts security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "G. L. c. 186, § 15B. The residential property was owned by Shoreh Karaa and Fadi Karaa (collectively, the Karaas), and rented by China Real Estate Development Investment & Trust Fund Corporation (CREDIT), Kuk Yim, and Chiung Fong (collectively, the tenants)." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
John C. Taylor v. J.P. Beaudry
John C. Taylor v. J.P. Beaudry, 75 Mass. App. Ct. 411 (2009)
…Beaudry (landlord), for the landlord’s failure to return a security deposit within thirty days as required by G. L. c. 186, § 15B(4), (6)(e). A judge of the Housing Court dismissed the complaint on the authority of Cas-tenholz v. Caira, 21 Mass. App. Ct. 758 (1986), and the tenant appeals. We vacate the judgment. Background. The tenant rented an apartment at 40 Fairfield Stree…
Practitioners open John C. Taylor v. J.P. Beaudry when Massachusetts security deposits turns on the distinction in this sentence: "Beaudry (landlord), for the landlord’s failure to return a security deposit within thirty days as required by G. L. c. 186, § 15B(4), (6)(e). A judge of the Housing Court dismissed the complaint on the authority of Cas-tenholz v. Caira, 21 Mass. App. Ct." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
John C. Taylor v. J.P. Beaudry
John C. Taylor v. J.P. Beaudry, 82 Mass. App. Ct. 105 (2012)
…er, 2003. The tenant paid *106the landlord, J.P. Beaudry, a security deposit of $ 1,375. The last lease expired on August 31, 2007. The tenant and the landlord have disputed whether, as the tenant contends, he vacated the premises that day or, as the landlord contends, the tenant did not vacate until the following day. By mail postmarked October 1, 2007, the landlord sent to th…
Massachusetts opinions such as John C. Taylor v. J.P. Beaudry are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "The tenant paid *106the landlord, J.P. Beaudry, a security deposit of $ 1,375. The last lease expired on August 31, 2007." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Euridices A. Dolores, and another v. Cheryl Gustafson, and another
Euridices A. Dolores, and another v. Cheryl Gustafson, and another, 2009 Mass. App. Div. 267 (2009)
….c. 185, §15B(7) to recover three times the amount of their security deposit, plus costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, for the defendants' violations of the Massachusetts security deposit law.3 We must decide on *268this interlocutory appeal4 whether, in light of the Appeals Court’s October 15, 2009 decision in Taylor v. Beaudry, 75 Mass. App. Ct. 411 (2009), the motion judge…
Euridices A. Dolores, and another v. Cheryl Gustafson, and another is worth reading on Massachusetts security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "B(7) to recover three times the amount of their security deposit, plus costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, for the defendants' violations of the Massachusetts security deposit law." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Key takeaways
- Maximum deposit: 1 month's rent (last month’s rent and key/lock fees are regulated separately)
- Return deadline: 30 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions
- Interest: Yes — landlords must pay interest on security deposits at 5% or the bank rate actually earned, credited annually.
- Penalties: Violations can support treble damages of the interest or deposit wrongfully withheld, plus attorney fees, under the stringent § 15B scheme.
- Primary authority: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Massachusetts?
1 month's rent (last month’s rent and key/lock fees are regulated separately)
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?
30 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions
What if my landlord keeps the deposit without an itemized list?
Violations can support treble damages of the interest or deposit wrongfully withheld, plus attorney fees, under the stringent § 15B scheme.
This guide covers Massachusetts residential security-deposit law as of 2026. Commercial leases and local ordinances can differ — verify the statute that applies to your unit.