Massachusetts Renter Guide
Your landlord missed the 30-day deposit deadline. Put the demand in writing.
In Massachusetts, a security deposit dispute can turn on details: the 30-day return window, whether deductions were itemized, whether interest was handled, and whether the landlord followed the strict deposit rules. A clear mailed demand helps you stop chasing vague texts and build a record.
Write it free below. If you want the paper trail without printing or going to the post office, we can mail it first class for $3.50 or certified with tracking for $15.
Best fit
- You moved out and the deposit is still missing
- The landlord sent vague or unsupported deductions
- You did not receive the required accounting
- You want a dated record before escalating
This is the letter you'll send
No legal jargon dump. You fill in the facts, and the builder gives you a clear demand that says what happened, what Massachusetts rule matters, and what you want back.
Maya Chen 42 Hemenway Street, Apt 3 Boston, MA 02115
June 5, 2026
Beacon Realty Group 19 Winter Street Boston, MA 02108
Re: Demand for Return of Security Deposit under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186, Section 15B
Dear Beacon Realty Group,
I am requesting the return of my security deposit for 42 Hemenway Street, Apt 3, Boston, MA. My tenancy ended on April 30, 2026, and I provided my forwarding address in writing.
Massachusetts law generally requires the security deposit and any interest due to be returned within 30 days after the tenancy ends, unless lawful deductions are supported by the required written itemization and documentation.
As of today, I have not received the full deposit, interest, or a proper itemized statement supporting any deductions. Please return the deposit balance and any interest due within 10 days of receiving this letter, or send the required written itemization and documentation.
Please send all correspondence and payment to the mailing address listed above.
Sincerely,
Maya Chen
What this fixes
You stop chasing loose replies
The letter names the rental address, move-out date, deposit amount, and what is missing. It gives the landlord something concrete to answer.
You cite the actual Massachusetts rule
The demand points to Chapter 186, Section 15B and the 30-day return or itemization requirement without pretending to be legal advice.
You create a dated mailing record
Download it free, or have us mail it. Certified Mail is useful when you want proof that the demand was delivered.
The Massachusetts 30-day rule
Mass.gov explains that a landlord must return the security deposit and any interest due, minus lawful deductions, within 30 days after the tenant moves out. If the tenant has a written lease and leaves before the lease ends, the return deadline can run from the end of the lease.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186, Section 15B also sets strict requirements for holding a security deposit, paying interest, and documenting deductions. If the landlord keeps money for damage, the itemized list must describe the damage in precise detail and include written evidence such as bills, invoices, receipts, or estimates.
That is why the demand should ask for either the money or the missing paperwork. A vague text saying "there were damages" is not the same thing as a proper itemized statement.
What to put in the demand
- Your name and current mailing address
- The rental property address
- Your move-out date and lease end date if different
- The amount of the security deposit
- Whether you received any deductions or itemized statement
- A request for the deposit balance, interest due, or proper documentation
- A short response deadline, usually 10 to 14 days
When 93A may also matter
Mass.gov's 30-day demand letter materials list failure to return a security deposit as an example of conduct that can result in money loss. That does not mean every deposit dispute is automatically a Chapter 93A claim.
If the facts look unfair or deceptive, read the Massachusetts 93A demand guide before deciding what to send. For many renters, the first move is still a focused deposit demand that asks for the money or the required itemization.
What happens after the letter arrives
The landlord returns the money. That is the clean win. Keep a copy of the letter and payment record.
The landlord sends deductions. Read them closely. In Massachusetts, deductions need to be specific and supported. Normal wear and tear is not the same as tenant-caused damage.
The landlord ignores it. Now you have a dated demand and proof of mailing. That record is useful if you decide to file in small claims court or speak with a Massachusetts tenant attorney.
Official sources
General information only, not legal advice. Massachusetts security deposit disputes can depend on your lease, dates, documents, and facts. Consult a qualified Massachusetts attorney or tenant organization for advice about your situation.
Choose how it gets mailed
Writing and downloading your letter is always free. You only pay if you want us to handle printing and mailing.
Ready to write it?
Open the Massachusetts security deposit demand template, add your move-out date and deposit details, then download it free or have Forman3D print and mail it.