BRANDA PEEBLES & Another v. JRK PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC., & others. (2025)

Citation: BRANDA PEEBLES & Another v. JRK PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC., & others. (2025)
Parent Document: BRANDA PEEBLES & Another v. JRK PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC., & others. (2025)
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts (state)
Effective Date: 2025-08-01
Original Source: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10646213/branda-peebles-another-v-jrk-p... ↗

Full Text

1,015 chars

DEWAR, J.  The Legislature has enacted detailed provisions governing the circumstances under which a lessor of residential property may deduct charges from a tenant's security deposit at the conclusion of the tenancy.  See G. L. c. 186, § 15B.  As most relevant here, if the lessor follows various required procedures, the lessor may deduct a "reasonable amount necessary to repair any damage caused to the dwelling unit by the tenant . . . , reasonable wear and tear excluded."  G. L. c. 186, § 15B (4) (iii).  The named plaintiffs in this putative class action pending in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts are former tenants of apartments owned and managed by the defendants.  The plaintiffs claim that the defendants have violated G. L. c. 186, § 15B (4) (iii), by routinely deducting from tenants' security deposits charges for "reasonable wear and tear."  The Federal court has certified two questions to this court under S.J.C. Rule 1:03, as appearing in 382 Mass. 700 (1981):

Other Sections in This Document (49)

Full Text