§15B controls amounts a lessor or lessor’s agent may require at or before tenancy starts, subject to its exact exceptions.
§15B(1)(c) bars lease-based interest or a penalty for failure to pay rent until 30 days after the rent became due.
Since August 1, 2025, the hiring party is responsible for the broker fee.
940 CMR 38 requires clear disclosure of mandatory fees and charges in covered consumer transactions.
§22(j) bars added servicing/admin/billing/submetering fees for covered residential water billing.
Massachusetts charge guides
Security Deposit
Massachusetts security deposit limit, 30-day return, bank-account, interest and damage-documentation rules.
Open guide →One-Month Limit
Massachusetts landlords may collect a security deposit no greater than one month’s rent.
Open guide →30-Day Rule
Massachusetts generally requires return of the security deposit or balance within 30 days after the tenancy ends.
Open guide →Statement of Condition
Massachusetts landlords accepting a security deposit must provide a signed move-in statement of condition under the statutory timing rules.
Open guide →Damage Itemization
Massachusetts damage deductions require a sworn, precise itemized list and written evidence of repair cost.
Open guide →Bank Account & Interest
Massachusetts security deposits must be kept in a separate interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account with statutory interest handling.
Open guide →Water Submetering
Massachusetts water submetering rules for tenant billing, lease disclosure, bill details, cost-per-unit calculation, prohibited added fees, leak credits and meter tests.
Open guide →Reasonable Wear
Massachusetts damage deductions exclude reasonable wear and tear.
Open guide →Rental Fees & Upfront Charges
Massachusetts rules for upfront landlord charges, renter-paid broker fees, mandatory fee disclosure and total-price advertising for residential rentals.
Open guide →Rent Late Fees
Massachusetts statewide timing rule barring lease-based interest or penalties for nonpayment of rent until 30 days after the rent became due.
Open guide →Why Massachusetts is useful for fee checking
The strongest workflow is to preserve the apartment advertisement and quote, identify whether the payee is the landlord, landlord’s agent or a broker, compare the executed lease and payment ledger, and then apply the narrow source layer. For a late fee, start with the contractual due date and the 30-day timing rule before modeling the formula stated in the lease. This avoids treating every “admin,” “leasing,” “late” or “broker” label as the same charge.
Core official sources
Primary law for security-deposit amount, receipts, statement of condition, banking, interest, deductions and 30-day return.
Massachusetts LegislatureMassachusetts General Laws c.186 § 22 ↗Primary law for residential water submetering, tenant eligibility, lease disclosure, bill contents, cost-per-unit calculation, prohibited added fees, meter testing and leak adjustments.
Massachusetts LegislatureMassachusetts General Laws c.112 § 87DDD 1/2 ↗Current broker-fee statute. Effective August 1, 2025, a rental broker or salesperson fee may be paid only by the party that originally engaged and contracted with the broker or salesperson.
Mass.gov — Executive Office of Housing and Livable CommunitiesFrequently asked questions about residential rental broker’s fees ↗Official Massachusetts guidance explaining the August 1, 2025 renter broker-fee rule, including landlord-hired brokers and similarly named fee workarounds.
Massachusetts Attorney General940 CMR 38.00 — Unfair and Deceptive Fees ↗Official Massachusetts regulation requiring clear and conspicuous total-price disclosure including mandatory fees, charges and expenses for covered consumer transactions, including rentals and leases.