Massachusetts Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $7,000 (statewide). Court: Massachusetts District Court / Boston Municipal Court - Small Claims Session. Limitation period listed in our state data: 3 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 12/26 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 14 days.
County court coverage and fees
26 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 12, No 0, Not verified 14
Deposit return deadlines
- 30 days after Termination of tenancy/occupancy (end of the tenant's occupancy).
From a letter to court
- Send a Massachusetts security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Massachusetts: 3 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Yes
Statewide filing fee: Filing fee for claims $500 and under $40; $501 to $2,000 $50; $2,001 to $5,000 $100; $5,001 to $7,000 $150; plus $7 eFiling fee if filed online.
How papers are served:
- certified mail by clerk
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Appeal window: 10 days
Filing fee for claims $500 and under $40 each. Filing fee for claims of $501 to $2,000 $50 each. Filing fee for claims of $2,001 to $5,000 $100 each. Filing fee for claims of $5,001 to $7,000 $150 each. Service fee if you choose to eFile your small claim $7 each.
Free Massachusetts template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Massachusetts law (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 days after termination of tenancy/occupancy (end of the tenant's occupancy).
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $7,000 (statewide) |
|---|---|
| Court | Massachusetts District Court / Boston Municipal Court - Small Claims Session |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 3 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes; Required whenever landlord withholds any portion of the deposit for damages - must provide an itemized list sworn under pains and penalties of perjury with supporting written evidence (estimates, bills, invoices, or receipts); no dollar threshold, applies to any deduction |
What you can recover
If landlord fails to return the deposit/balance within 30 days of tenancy termination, fails to provide required itemization, fails to pay required 5% annual interest, or otherwise violates §15B's deposit-handling requirements (e.g., commingling, no separate interest-bearing account, no bank transfer statement), the tenant may recover treble (3x) damages equal to three times the deposit or balance wrongfully withheld, PLUS 5% interest from the date payment became due, PLUS court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Bad faith required: No.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | Cambridge District Court, Cambridge (court sits in Medford) | $7,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $40 (claims up to $500) / $50 (up to $2,000) / $100 (up to $5,000) / $150 ($5,001-$7,000), plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Worcester | Worcester District Court, Worcester | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Essex | Salem District Court, Salem | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Suffolk | Boston Municipal Court, Central Division, Boston | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Norfolk | Dedham District Court, Dedham | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Bristol | New Bedford District Court, New Bedford | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Plymouth | Plymouth District Court, Plymouth | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Hampden | Springfield District Court, Springfield | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Barnstable | Barnstable District Court, Barnstable (Hyannis area) | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Hampshire | Northampton District Court, Northampton | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Berkshire | Pittsfield District Court, Pittsfield | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Franklin | Greenfield District Court, Greenfield | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $40-$150 tiered by claim amount, plus $7 e-filing fee if filed online | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Middlesex County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Middlesex County, Lowell | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Worcester County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Worcester County, Worcester | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Essex County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Essex County, Salem | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Suffolk County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Suffolk County, Boston | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Norfolk County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Norfolk County, Dedham | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Bristol County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Bristol County, Taunton | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Plymouth County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Plymouth County, Brockton | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Hampden County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Hampden County, Springfield | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Barnstable County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Barnstable County, Barnstable | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Hampshire County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Hampshire County, Northampton | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Berkshire County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Berkshire County, Pittsfield | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Franklin County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Franklin County, Greenfield | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Dukes County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Dukes County, Edgartown | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Nantucket County | Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Nantucket County, Nantucket | $7,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
Detailed guides for 26 counties
- Middlesex
- Worcester
- Essex
- Suffolk
- Norfolk
- Bristol
- Plymouth
- Hampden
- Barnstable
- Hampshire
- Berkshire
- Franklin
- Middlesex County
- Worcester County
- Essex County
- Suffolk County
- Norfolk County
- Bristol County
- Plymouth County
- Hampden County
- Barnstable County
- Hampshire County
- Berkshire County
- Franklin County
- Dukes County
- Nantucket County
Statute says
the lessor shall, within thirty days after the termination of occupancy...return to the tenant the security deposit or any balance thereof... damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of such security deposit or balance thereof...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.
What this means
Tenant resources
- Massachusetts Legal Help - Security Deposits guide (statewide legal-aid network resource)legal aid
- Greater Boston Legal Services - Housing (free legal aid for low-income tenants, security deposit disputes)legal aid in Boston, (617) 371-1234
- City Life/Vida Urbana - tenant union / tenant association organizingtenant union in Boston (Jamaica Plain)
- Massachusetts Attorney General's Office - Consumer Advocacy & Response Division (Consumer Hotline; Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights)ag consumer, (617) 727-8400
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities - housing/landlord-tenant helphotline, 617-573-1100
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Massachusetts?
$7,000 (statewide)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 3 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
If landlord fails to return the deposit/balance within 30 days of tenancy termination, fails to provide required itemization, fails to pay required 5% annual interest, or otherwise violates §15B's deposit-handling requirements (e.g., commingling, no separate interest-bearing account, no bank transfer statement), the tenant may recover treble (3x) damages equal to three times the deposit or balance wrongfully withheld, PLUS 5% interest from the date payment became due, PLUS court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Bad faith required: No.
Which court handles the claim?
Massachusetts District Court / Boston Municipal Court - Small Claims Session
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 30 days after Termination of tenancy/occupancy (end of the tenant's occupancy). Typical response window after a demand letter: 14 days.