Worcester County, Massachusetts: Small Claims for a Security Deposit

Limits: $7,000 (statewide). Court: Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Worcester County.

Filing facts

State small claims limits	$7,000 (statewide)
Statewide filing fee	Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. State court directory
E-filing	Not verified
Time limit to sue in Massachusetts	3 years.
State deposit return deadline	30 days after Termination of tenancy/occupancy (end of the tenant's occupancy).
Penalty formula	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.
Deposit statute	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B

Where to file

Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Worcester County

Courthouse city: Worcester

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

State court directory

Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks

See how to file in Massachusetts for the state filing procedure.

Rent and deposits in Worcester County

County median gross rent: $1,347 per month.

County median gross rent by bedroom count
Bedrooms	Monthly rent
Studio	$1,039
1 bedroom	$1,014
2 bedrooms	$1,403
3 bedrooms	$1,654
4 bedrooms	$1,784

Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $1,403; two months is $2,806. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $1,403.

State legal maximum deposit in Massachusetts: 1 month's rent ($1,403 at the example rent) (plus, separately, first month's rent ($1,403 at the example rent), last month's rent, and cost of a new lock may also be collected at move-in under c.186 §15B(1)(b)).

Total households in Worcester County: 333,273.

Renter households: 114,424 (34.3% of all households).

Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 5.4%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.

County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed 2026-09-21.

Will my deposit claim fit the limit?

Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Worcester County, $1,403 per month.

The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.

Compared with $7,000 (statewide), the whole deposit range fits.

A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.

Towns this court serves

A deposit claim is usually filed where the property sits or where the landlord is.

Fitchburg
Gardner
Leominster
Southbridge Town
Worcester

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file.

Courthouse details

Address: 225 Main St., Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: (508) 831-2050

Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

From the state court directory; the source is a PDF our automated check cannot read

Court contact source

From letter to filing

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.

This template uses Massachusetts law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.

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Document preparation and mailing, not legal advice. We do not assess your claim, choose a strategy, or promise a recovery.

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Massachusetts small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

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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).

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Worcester County?

Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. State court directory

How long do I have to sue?

Time limit to sue in Massachusetts: 3 years.

Where do I file?

Massachusetts District Court (small claims) serving Worcester County. Courthouse city: Worcester. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.