30 days to return the deposit; cap 1 month's rent.
A deposit may not exceed one month's rent and must be returned within 30 days of move-out. The landlord must hold it in a separate interest-bearing account and give specific receipts.
What this means for you: Massachusetts deposit law is highly technical; landlords who get the procedure wrong can owe three times the deposit plus interest and legal fees.
Your next step: Keep all deposit receipts and the move-in condition statement. If the deposit isn't returned in 30 days, a demand letter is your first step.
Source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B. Reviewed 2026-06-16.
More Massachusetts rights: Massachusetts eviction · Massachusetts repairs · Massachusetts entry notice · Massachusetts rent increase.
Security deposit in nearby states: New Hampshire (30 days to return the deposit; cap 1 month's rent) · Rhode Island (20 days to return the deposit; cap 1 month's rent) · Connecticut (30 days to return the deposit; cap 2 months' rent) · New York (14 days to return the deposit; cap 1 month's rent) · Vermont (14 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026