Maximum deposit: 1 month rent. Return deadline: 30 days. Everything landlords and tenants need to know about Massachusetts security deposit law.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
| Rule | Massachusetts Law |
|---|---|
| Maximum Deposit | 1 month rent |
| Return Deadline | 30 days |
| Interest Required | Required at 5% annually or actual bank rate |
| Penalty for Violations | 3x wrongfully withheld amount |
| Normal Wear and Tear | Cannot be deducted |
Massachusetts limits security deposits to 1 month rent. Charging more than this amount is a violation of state law and may entitle the tenant to damages.
Detailed itemized statement with receipts required
Regardless of the deposit amount, landlords must follow the correct procedures for holding, itemizing, and returning the deposit. Failure to follow these procedures can result in the landlord forfeiting the right to make deductions and owing penalties to the tenant.
After a tenant moves out, Massachusetts landlords have 30 days to either return the full security deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions along with any remaining balance. The clock typically starts on the date of move-out or the date the tenant provides a forwarding address, whichever is later.
If the landlord misses this deadline, the consequences can be severe: 3x wrongfully withheld amount. Tenants should document their move-out with photos, return keys promptly, and provide a written forwarding address to establish the start of the deadline clearly.
Landlords in Massachusetts may deduct from the security deposit for:
Landlords cannot deduct for:
Document the unit's condition at move-in with a written checklist and photos signed by both parties. This documentation is critical in any deposit dispute.
Required at 5% annually or actual bank rate. Massachusetts requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits under certain conditions. Make sure to track interest accrued and include it with the deposit return within the required timeframe.
If your landlord fails to return your deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 days, you may be entitled to: 3x wrongfully withheld amount.
Steps to take if your landlord violates Massachusetts security deposit law:
Calculate your security deposit maximum, estimate any interest owed, and determine the exact return deadline based on your Massachusetts move-out date.
Open Massachusetts Security Deposit CalculatorMassachusetts limits security deposits to 1 month rent. Detailed itemized statement with receipts required
Massachusetts landlords have 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions. If the landlord misses this deadline: 3x wrongfully withheld amount.
Normal wear and tear in Massachusetts refers to the expected deterioration from ordinary residential use: minor scuffs on walls, small nail holes from hanging pictures, faded paint, and worn carpet from foot traffic. Landlords cannot deduct for these. They can deduct for actual damage such as large holes in walls, broken fixtures, deep carpet stains, or damage caused by pets, negligence, or misuse.