Press Release: 3/31/2025

AG Campbell Urges Court To Protect Massachusetts Renters From Illegal Lease Terms And Security Deposit Withholdings

 

Argues Requiring Renters to Pay for Reasonable Wear and Tear, Hire Professional Cleaning Services Violates State Security Deposit Statute and Consumer Protection Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

3/28/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Sydney Heiberger, Press Secretary

 Phone

Call Sydney Heiberger, Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

 Online

Email Sydney Heiberger, Press Secretary at Sydney.Heiberger@mass.gov

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has filed an amicus brief in Peebles v. JRK Property Holdings, Inc., urging the Supreme Judicial Court to find that renters should not be financially responsible for the cost of routine painting, carpet cleaning, or professional cleaning services upon move out. 

JRK Property Holdings, Inc. (JRK) is a Los Angeles-based property management company that, in connection with affiliated companies, manages six residential buildings in Tewksbury, Peabody, Saugus, Chelsea, Fall River, and Lowell. According to the plaintiffs’ complaint, JRK’s leases include unlawful provisions that require tenants to incur costs for reasonable wear and tear, as well as hire professional cleaning services upon move out. Tenants claim that in many instances, JRK has violated state law by retaining portions of security deposits in order to remedy reasonable wear and tear. 

AG Campbell argues that state law requires landlords to conduct maintenance and repairs at their own expense and makes it illegal to shift those costs to tenants. Massachusetts’ security deposit statute includes a “reasonable wear and tear” provision that protects a tenant’s right to live in a rented home without being held financially responsible for the natural decline of the property over time or the inevitable consequences of living fully in the tenant’s home in a reasonable way – including scuffs on walls or thinning on carpets.  

Additionally, AG Campbell argues that imposing an upfront requirement that a tenant pay for professional cleaning services is a violation of Massachusetts’ security deposit statute because such a requirement is essentially a preemptive charge for reasonable wear and tear. 

The Attorney General’s Office has promulgated regulations stipulating that unfair and illegal lease terms are violations of state consumer protection laws. 

AG Campbell has published a Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights to inform landlords and tenants of their rights and responsibilities when creating or signing onto a lease. Individuals, including renters, who believe their rights have been violated should file a complaint with Attorney General’s Office online, or by calling (617) 727-8400. 

This matter was handled by Managing Attorney Matthew Lashof-Sullivan and Assistant Attorneys General Jane Sugarman, Mercy Cover, and Daniel Bahls, all of the AG’s Consumer Protection Division, as well as Director Esme Caramello of the AG’s Housing Affordability Unit.