Massachusetts
Property management software for Massachusetts landlords
Massachusetts is the hardest state in New England to hold a security deposit in — §15B carries treble damages for mistakes national software never sees coming. Stonerow PM enforces the one-month cap when the lease is saved, accrues the 5% deposit interest, and respects the 30-day late-fee grace. Built for the Worcester three-decker, not the Sun Belt tower.
Free Core plan, unlimited units. Every new organization starts with 30 days of Pro.
Compliance, automated
What Stonerow enforces for Massachusetts — automatically
1-month deposit cap at the lease
Every lease and renewal is checked against the §15B one-month security-deposit cap before it saves. The single most expensive mistake in Massachusetts landlording is stopped at entry.
5% deposit-interest accrual
Massachusetts requires interest on held deposits. Stonerow accrues it per lease under the MA rule, so the number is there when the tenancy ends — not reconstructed from a shoebox.
The 30-day late-fee grace, respected
Massachusetts bars late fees until rent is 30 days overdue. Stonerow's late-fee engine honors the grace period, so a premature fee never reaches the ledger.
Statute-cited notices & an audit trail
Deposit itemization statements print with the citation on the page, every ledger entry is append-only, and the audit log records who changed what — the paper trail Housing Court expects.
Know your ground
Massachusetts landlord rules at a glance
General information for orientation, not legal advice. Statutes change — verify current law with counsel.
| Topic | Massachusetts rule (summary) |
|---|---|
| Security-deposit cap | One month's rent (MGL c.186 §15B). Enforced by Stonerow at lease creation and renewal. |
| Deposit interest | Required on deposits held a year or more — 5% or the actual bank rate. Accrued by Stonerow per lease. |
| Deposit return window | Generally 30 days after the tenancy ends, with itemized deductions. |
| Exposure if deposits are mishandled | Treble (3×) damages plus interest, costs, and attorney's fees for certain §15B violations — strict liability. |
| Late fees | Not permitted until rent is 30 days overdue (§15B). Stonerow's late-fee engine respects the grace period. |
| Move-in charges | §15B limits move-in monies to first month, last month, a security deposit of up to one month, and a lock/key fee. |
Beyond compliance
Everything else an MA portfolio needs, in the same system
- Court-ready ledger per lease — append-only, printable, ready for Housing Court from Worcester to Springfield.
- Invoicing, recurring rent, receipts, and expense tracking.
- Maintenance work orders with vendors, costs, preventive plans, and photo-backed move-in/move-out inspections.
- Listings, QR codes, applications, and showings to fill the next floor of the three-decker.
- A tenant portal where every resident — including roommates and co-tenants — sees their own balance and ledger.
Massachusetts questions
Massachusetts landlord FAQ
What is the security deposit limit in Massachusetts?
One month's rent (MGL c.186 §15B). Stonerow PM enforces this cap automatically when a lease is created or renewed. General information, not legal advice.
Do Massachusetts landlords have to pay interest on deposits?
Yes — 5% or the actual bank rate on deposits held a year or more (§15B). Stonerow accrues deposit interest per lease under the Massachusetts rule. General information, not legal advice.
When can a Massachusetts landlord charge a late fee?
Not until rent is 30 days overdue (§15B). Stonerow's late-fee engine respects the 30-day grace period, so a premature fee never posts. General information, not legal advice.
Why do deposit mistakes matter so much in Massachusetts?
Because §15B carries treble (3×) damages plus interest, costs, and attorney's fees for certain violations — strict liability. Stonerow enforces the cap at the lease and accrues the required interest, so the highest-risk mistakes are prevented at entry. General information, not legal advice.
What software should a small Massachusetts landlord use?
Software that knows §15B — the one-month cap, the 5% interest, the 30-day grace, the treble-damages exposure — rather than a national tool that treats every state the same. Stonerow PM is purpose-built for MA, CT, and RI, with a free Core plan and compliance features that are never paywalled.
Run your Massachusetts rentals on rules, not memory.
Free Core plan. Unlimited units. 30 days of Pro on every new organization.