Tenant behind on rent? Damage beyond wear and tear? Holding over after the lease ended? Describe the situation in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send notices — specific to Massachusetts law.
Get My Massachusetts Action Plan — Free to StartM.G.L. c.186 §15B requires the deposit back within 30 days after the tenancy ends, with detailed deduction documentation. There is no fixed statewide entry-notice hour count — reasonable notice for authorized purposes applies. There is no general payment grace period, but late fees and interest cannot be charged until rent is 30 days overdue, effectively a 30-day late-fee grace period. Massachusetts has famously strict deposit rules — a separate interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank, a receipt with account details within 30 days of receiving the deposit, and 5% or actual interest paid yearly. Self-help eviction, lockouts, and utility shutoffs are illegal; court summary process is required.
30 days after move-out, with an itemized statement for any deductions.
No state law sets a minimum notice period — check your lease, which may require one.
No. Eviction requires a court process — lockouts, belongings removal, and utility shutoffs without a court order are illegal.
Greater Boston Legal Services. You can also call or text 211 for local referrals.