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

945 chars

To the first question, we respond that a tenant's reasonable use of a property as a residence under the terms of a lease is expected to result in gradual deterioration of the property over time, and such wear and tear ultimately may require painting, carpet repair, or similar refurbishment at the end of a lease.  The security deposit statute does not permit deductions from a tenant's security deposit to repair such reasonable wear and tear.  G. L. c. 186, § 15B (4) (iii).  Whether the damage to a particular property is "reasonable wear and tear" within the meaning of G. L. c. 186, § 15B (4) (iii), is a fact-specific question depending on all the circumstances, including but not limited to the nature and cause of the damage, the deterioration to be expected as a result of reasonable use during the tenant's or tenants' occupancy under the lease, the condition of the property at the start of the lease, and the length of the occupancy.

Other Sections in This Document (49)

Full Text