Letter · Massachusetts

Deposit demand: the Massachusetts letter

Asks for the deposit (or the part withheld) by a date, citing the statute and the date it was due. Carries Fair Charge items when you dispute deductions. When: The day after the deadline if nothing arrived, or soon after an itemized list you disagree with arrives. It cites M.G.L. c. 186, §15B(4), with the statute text checked 2026-10-05.

StateYour nameLandlord or manager's nameLandlord's mailing addressThe address in your lease for notices, if it gives one.Rental addressMove-out dateDeposit paid ($)Amount returned so far ($)Leave blank if nothing has arrived.Deductions you disputeOne per line, e.g. "Carpet replacement: charged $906, prorated estimate $544". Fair Charge fills this in.Where to send paymentDay you sent your forwarding addressTexas, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Rhode Island count from your address.Reply byhousr suggests 10 days. No statute sets this date.Include “Prepared with housr.io, a free renter tool” at the bottom

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October 29, 2026

[landlord's name] [landlord's address]

Re: Demand for the return of my security deposit Rental: [rental address]

Dear [landlord's name],

I moved out of the rental above on [move-out date] and paid a security deposit of [deposit amount].

As of the date of this letter I have not received the deposit or an itemized list of deductions.

On wear and tear, Massachusetts law says: Deductions are limited to unpaid rent or water, a tax-escalation share, and a reasonable amount to repair damage, reasonable wear and tear excluded (§15B(4)(iii)).

For your reference, M.G.L. c. 186, §15B(7) provides: “the tenant shall be awarded damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of such security deposit or balance thereof to which the tenant is entitled plus interest at the rate of five per cent from the date when such payment became due, together with court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.”

Please send the deposit to: [address for payment] by November 8, 2026.

I would prefer to resolve this directly with you. I have kept copies of my lease, my move-out photos and this letter.

Sincerely, [your name]

Cites M.G.L. c. 186, §15B(4). This letter states facts and dates; it is not legal advice. Prepared with housr.io, a free renter tool.

Still to fill in: landlord's name, landlord's address, rental address, move-out date, deposit amount, address for payment, your name.

Information, not legal advice. The letter states facts, dates and the statute. Whether a deduction is lawful depends on facts a court decides. Statute text checked, legal review pending.