The Boston security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your Boston landlord must act within 30 days after tenancy ends under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B. If they missed it, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in Boston are governed by Massachusetts state law: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B. 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. Full Massachusetts deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Boston are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Suffolk County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Boston at a glance
Population ~654,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 30-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.