File a small claims court claim
Sue a landlord for money owed — like a wrongfully withheld deposit — without a lawyer.
When to use this
Use small claims court for money disputes such as an unreturned security deposit, overcharged fees, or the cost of repairs you had to pay for. It is designed for people without lawyers and uses simple procedures.
Steps
- 1Confirm your claim is for money and is within the $7,000 limit (see below).
- 2Send the landlord a written demand for payment and keep a copy — for many deposit and 93A claims this is required before suing.
- 3File a Statement of Small Claim at the District Court (or Boston Municipal Court) for the city or town where the landlord lives or does business, and pay the filing fee.
- 4Bring your evidence — lease, demand letter, photos, receipts, inspection reports — to the hearing.
Monetary limit
The limit is $7,000. Claims above that must be brought as a regular civil case. The $7,000 cap does not apply to property damage caused by a motor vehicle.
Legal basis
The small claims procedure is set by M.G.L. c. 218, §§ 21–22. It covers contract and tort claims (other than libel and slander) where the plaintiff seeks no more than $7,000.
Filing fees are tiered by claim size: $40 (up to $500), $50 (up to $2,000), $100 (up to $5,000), and $150 ($5,001–$7,000).
This is general information about how these processes work in Massachusetts — not legal advice, and not a guarantee of any outcome. Deadlines, fees, and procedures change and may differ by city or town. Confirm the details with the official sources linked on this page and, for advice about your situation, a licensed Massachusetts attorney.