Massachusetts Demand Letter Generator
Write a demand letter for money owed or a security deposit in Massachusetts, with Massachusetts's rules built in: the $7,000 small claims limit, the 30-day deposit deadline, and the 30-day pre-suit rule in the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (G.L. c. 93A). It runs in your browser; nothing you type is stored or sent.
Everything you type stays in this browser. Nothing is sent to us or saved.
The date in the letter is counted from today.
Facts only: what was agreed, what was paid, what went wrong. Each line becomes a paragraph.
Massachusetts rules this letter uses
Small claims court
Limit $7,000. Before you file: Not required by the sources we checked. Find the court, fee and filing steps
Check these before you send
- Add your name.
- Add the name of the person or business that owes you.
- Add the amount you are asking for.
Your letter
[Your name]
October 26, 2026
[Their name]
Re: Demand for payment of [amount]
Dear [Their name],
I am writing about the money I lent you.
This letter is a formal demand that you pay me [amount] by November 9, 2026, which is 14 days from the date of this letter.
Please contact me at the address above to arrange payment.
I would prefer to settle this without going to court. Please respond in writing.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Before you send
- Keep a copy of this letter and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.
- Stick to the facts and the next step you will take. Do not threaten to report the person to the police or to expose them publicly to get paid.
- Lawsuits have deadlines (statutes of limitations). If the debt or damage is old, check the deadline before you rely on this letter.
- This letter template is general information, not legal advice.
Massachusetts rules for demand letters
Small claims court in Massachusetts
The general small claims limit in Massachusetts is $7,000. The Massachusetts small claims sources we checked do not require a demand before filing, but a written demand is still useful evidence. No general demand is required. For a Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 93A) claim, tell the clerk and bring a copy of your 30-day demand letter.
The small claims court finder shows the filing fee for your amount, where to file and how to serve; our Massachusetts small claims guide walks through the whole case.
Security deposits in Massachusetts
The landlord must return the deposit or its balance within 30 days after the tenancy ends. To keep money for damage, the landlord must give the tenant, within those 30 days, an itemized list of damages sworn under the pains and penalties of perjury. A landlord who does not return the deposit on time (or commits certain other listed violations) can be ordered to pay three times the amount owed, plus 5% interest, court costs and reasonable attorney fees. M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4)
Consumer protection notice in Massachusetts
Before suing a business under Chapter 93A, section 9, you must mail or deliver a written demand for relief at least 30 days before filing. It must identify you and reasonably describe the unfair or deceptive act or practice you relied on and the injury you suffered.
What a demand letter should say
A demand letter is a short, factual request for payment. It names who owes whom, how much, and why; it sets a date to pay; and it says what you will do next if you are not paid. Keep it to what you could prove to a judge: the agreement, the dates, the amount, and any payments already made.
- Your name and mailing address, the date, and the other side's name and address.
- The amount you are asking for and how you got to it.
- A short account of what was agreed and what went wrong.
- A clear deadline and how to pay.
- Your next step if you are not paid, such as filing in small claims court.
Send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt, and keep a copy for the court file.
What this tool does not do
- It does not send the letter, store it, or put anything you type in the web address. Everything stays in your browser.
- It does not calculate interest, judge whether your claim is strong, or say what a court would award.
- It does not check your statute of limitations. Use the statute of limitations calculator.
- It is general information and a template, not legal advice.
Limits of this information
- Some landlords, leases and cities follow different deposit rules; the statute linked above lists exceptions.
- Laws change. These rules were checked against official sources on October 20, 2026.
- This is a template and general information, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to send a demand letter before suing in Massachusetts small claims court?
The Massachusetts small claims sources we checked do not require a demand before filing, but a written demand is still useful evidence.
How much can I sue for in Massachusetts small claims court?
The general limit is $7,000 (G.L. c. 218, sec. 21). Pick Massachusetts in the small claims court finder for the fee and filing steps.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Massachusetts?
The landlord must return the deposit or its balance within 30 days after the tenancy ends. To keep money for damage, the landlord must give the tenant, within those 30 days, an itemized list of damages sworn under the pains and penalties of perjury. A landlord who does not return the deposit on time (or commits certain other listed violations) can be ordered to pay three times the amount owed, plus 5% interest, court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Does Massachusetts require notice before suing a business under its consumer protection law?
Before suing a business under Chapter 93A, section 9, you must mail or deliver a written demand for relief at least 30 days before filing. It must identify you and reasonably describe the unfair or deceptive act or practice you relied on and the injury you suffered.
Sources
- G.L. c. 218, sec. 21 (small claims limit)
- mass.gov Small Claims Court (OCABR) (demand before filing)
- M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4) (security deposit)
- M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(6)(a), (d), (e), (7)
- M.G.L. c. 93A, § 9(3) (Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (G.L. c. 93A))
Massachusetts rules checked against official sources on October 20, 2026.
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