A Tenant's Best Friend | Massachusetts Tenant Rights & Legal Help

🚨 Are you dealing with illegal fees, unreturned deposits, or broken conditions?
Massachusetts state law heavily protects tenants. Landlords cannot charge junk fees, must strictly account for security deposits under M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B, and are legally required to maintain safe conditions under the MA State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410).

🔍 Step 1: Illegal Upfront & Junk Fee Audit

Select any fees your landlord or property manager required you to pay:

Application / Credit Check / Background Check Fee Lease Renewal Fee or Roommate Addition Fee Upfront or Monthly Pet Fee / Pet Rent Mandatory "Resident Benefits Package" Fee Holding Deposit, Move-In Fee, or Cleaning Fee

⚖️ Step 2: Security Deposit Violation Audit

Did your landlord break any of these strict Massachusetts deposit rules under M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B?

No Bank Receipt Received: Landlord failed to provide a written receipt within 30 days showing the MA bank name, address, and account number where your deposit is held. No Statement of Condition: Landlord failed to give you a written "Statement of Condition" detailing existing damage within 10 days of move-in. Failed to Return Deposit: More than 30 days have passed since move-out and key surrender, and you haven't received your full deposit (or sworn itemized damages list). Improper Deductions: Landlord deducted money for normal wear-and-tear, or failed to provide actual receipts/sworn lists supporting deductions within 30 days. Unpaid Interest: Landlord kept your deposit for over a year and failed to pay or credit the 5% (or bank rate) annual interest owed to you.

🛠️ Step 3: Substandard Housing Conditions Survey

Under the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410), landlords must maintain habitability. Select any current or past unaddressed issues in your rental:

Heat or Hot Water Issues: Inadequate heat (below 68°F day / 64°F night during heating season) or no hot water (at least 110°F). Pest Infestation: Ongoing presence of mice, rats, cockroaches, or bedbugs that the landlord failed to professionally exterminate. Mold & Leaks: Active water leaks, severe dampness, ceiling drips, or unaddressed toxic mold growth. Safety Hazards: Broken exterior locks, non-working smoke/CO detectors, broken windows, or structural damage. Electrical / Plumbing: Faulty wiring, exposed electrical, backed-up sewage, or broken landlord-provided appliances. Ignored Written Requests: You notified the landlord in writing of defects, but they failed to fix them within a reasonable timeframe.

📩 Get Help From an MA Tenant Rights Attorney

If your landlord charged illegal fees, withheld your security deposit, or refused to fix substandard conditions, request a free legal case evaluation:

Prefer to reach out directly?

✉️ Email Ed@edricelaw.com 📞 Call 617-475-0909

Notice: Please note that contacting Ed Rice Law via this form or email does not create an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent until an attorney-client relationship has been formally established.