# Massachusetts Security Deposits: Wear vs Damage | Who Pays the Repair?

> Massachusetts landlords must give a sworn itemized list within 30 days or forfeit the deposit, and can't deduct for reasonable wear and tear, under M.G.L. c.186 §15B.

**Who pays:** shared

Massachusetts landlords must give a sworn itemized damage list within 30 days or forfeit the deposit, and can't deduct for reasonable wear and tear, under M.G.L. c.186 §15B.

**Boundary:** Massachusetts landlords must give the tenant a sworn, itemized list of damages within 30 days of the tenancy ending or forfeit the right to keep any of the deposit, and may deduct only a reasonable amount to repair tenant-caused damage, reasonable wear and tear is excluded (Mass. Gen. Laws c.186, §15B(4), (6)).

## Sources
- [Mass. Gen. Laws c.186 §15B(4) (repair deduction excludes reasonable wear and tear)](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section15B) — "a reasonable amount necessary to repair any damage caused to the dwelling unit by the tenant or any person under the tenant's control or on the premises with the tenant's consent, reasonable wear and tear excluded." (accessed 2026-09-13)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws c.186 §15B(6)(b) (30-day itemized-list deadline; forfeiture if missed)](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section15B) — "The lessor shall forfeit his right to retain any portion of the security deposit for any reason... if he... fails to furnish to the tenant within thirty days after the termination of the occupancy the itemized list of damages, if any, in compliance with the provisions of this section." (accessed 2026-09-13)

_Last verified 2026-09-19. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/massachusetts-security-deposit-wear-vs-damage/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._