Massachusetts Rental Law

[Judge Dredd]

They say everything is on the internet, but I'm having a hard time finding this piece of law.

My understanding of Mass. Law was that landlords had 30 days to return security deposits, or, in leu of payment, let you know that your deposit was being used to fix damage to the property.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of this law?

TIA

[LastAttempt]

no, security deposits are held until you decide to stop renting the property. And yes, it's used to fix damage to the property at the time that you moved out if damage was caused by you.

The landlord, however is suppose to tell you where the last month of payment is held (savings account or under his bed) and is required to pay your interest equivalent to either what he's receiving from the savings account or if not held in an account, 5% of the last month rent.

That being said, my landlord has not given me any interest and I hvae not asked him for any. But I will be asking him for full interest when I decide to stop renting his property.

See http://www.ago.state.ma.us/sp.cfm?pageid=1190 for more info.

[Frenchie]

They say everything is on the internet, but I'm having a hard time finding this piece of law.

My understanding of Mass. Law was that landlords had 30 days to return security deposits, or, in leu of payment, let you know that your deposit was being used to fix damage to the property.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of this law?

TIA

unlike most governmental agencies, when I lived in MA, I found the housing authority very helpful in answering my questions when I was renting. We had a landlord try to take advantage of us and they told us what he could and couldn't do. Try giving them a call...

[Judge Dredd]

no, security deposits are held until you decide to stop renting the property. And yes, it's used to fix damage to the property at the time that you moved out if damage was caused by you.

The landlord, however is suppose to tell you where the last month of payment is held (savings account or under his bed) and is required to pay your interest equivalent to either what he's receiving from the savings account or if not held in an account, 5% of the last month rent.

That being said, my landlord has not given me any interest and I hvae not asked him for any. But I will be asking him for full interest when I decide to stop renting his property.

See http://www.ago.state.ma.us/sp.cfm?pageid=1190 for more info.
From what I can tell, that 5% only applies if you live there more than a year.

Also, not sure what your first sentence is clarifing. My understanding is the S.D. is to be refunded 30 days [after you move out].

[Judge Dredd]

GOod link, btw, L.A. There was one question that applies directly to me.

Looks like I am heading to small claims court.

[HangerAngler]

In PA, the tenant has to give the landlord a written request for the return of their security deposit, including a forwarding address. That sounds reasonable enough to be a part of MA's law too. Either way, it is good practice.