Mellor v. Berman

This report by a judge of the Hampden County Division of the Housing Court Department raises questions as to the scope of a landlord’s liability to a tenant for improper retention of a security deposit. See G. L. c. 186, § 15B (7), as appearing in St. 1978, c. 553, § 2.

*276The facts are summarized as follows. The plaintiffs (tenants) leased residential property from the defendant (lessor) from June 1, 1978, to May 31, 1979.2 The tenants gave the lessor a security deposit of $500 and the first month’s rent of $350. No statement of the condition of the premises was given to the tenants.3 See G. L.…