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Get your security deposit back in Massachusetts

Your landlord must act within 30 days after tenancy ends under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

30 days
to return or itemize
3×
potential damages on wrongful withholding
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
Start my Massachusetts letter →

One flat fee. No subscription. Not a law firm.

What Massachusetts law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 30 days after tenancy ends
StatuteMass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingViolations can make the landlord liable for treble the deposit plus 5% interest, court costs, and attorney's fees; strict escrow and receipt rules apply.
Worth knowingOne of the strictest deposit statutes in the country; treble damages plus 5% interest, court costs and attorney's fees for violations of § 15B(6)(a),(d),(e).

This is general legal information about Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld in full → exposure of up to $4,500 plus attorney’s fees.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

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How your Massachusetts letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B, the 30-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

Massachusetts deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Massachusetts?
Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B, the landlord generally must act within 30 days after tenancy ends. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the Massachusetts deadline?
Violations can make the landlord liable for treble the deposit plus 5% interest, court costs, and attorney's fees; strict escrow and receipt rules apply. A written demand letter that cites Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Massachusetts?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed Massachusetts attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.