New York Security Deposit Demand Letter
In New York, a landlord has 14 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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New York deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 14 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1 month's rent
As of 2026. Source: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a New York landlord have to return the deposit?
14 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a New York landlord can charge?
Yes: 1 month's rent (as of 2026; source: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in New York if the landlord ignores this?
Limit depends on the court: Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court — $10,000 (NYC Civil Court Act § 1801, raised from $5,000 in 2021); City Courts outside NYC — $5,000 (UCCA § 1801); Town and Village Justice Courts — $3,000 (UJCA § 1801). Money-only claims, exclusive of interest and costs. The court is the Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court / City Court / Town or Village Justice Court, and the filing fee is NYC Civil Court and City Courts: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less, $20 over $1,000 (CCA § 1803; UCCA § 1803). Town and Village Courts: $10 up to $1,000, $15 over (UJCA § 1803).. As of 2026; source: NYC Civil Court Act § 1801; UCCA § 1801; UJCA § 1801.
Do I need a lawyer in New York small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed but rarely used. Corporations, partnerships and associations cannot file as small claims plaintiffs (CCA § 1809) — businesses use the separate Commercial Claims part — but they can be sued and may defend through an attorney or an authorized officer, director, or employee.. Source: NYC Civil Court Act § 1801; UCCA § 1801; UJCA § 1801 (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How New York compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for New York: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 14 days — well under the national median of 30 days across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 6 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Connecticut (30 days), Massachusetts (30 days), New Jersey (30 days), Pennsylvania (30 days), Vermont (14 days).
The rest of what New York requires
The figures below are New York's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full New York page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1 month's rent N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 14 days after move-out N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 14 days to pay or quit N.Y. Real Prop. Acts. Law § 711(2); N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 226-c ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $10,000 NYC Civil Court Act § 1801; UCCA § 1801; UJCA § 1801 ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims Part of NYC Civil Court / City Court / Town or Village Justice Court · filing fee NYC Civil Court and City Courts: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less, $20 over $1,000 (CCA § 1803; UCCA § 1803). Town and Village Courts: $10 up to $1,000, $15 over (UJCA § 1803). NYC Civil Court Act § 1801; UCCA § 1801; UJCA § 1801 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- Capped at $20 (or actual cost, whichever is less) NY Senate — Real Property Law ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required New York DMV (Form MV-912) ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required · 2 witnesses N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §5-1501B (form §5-1513) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Required by statute N.Y. LLC Law § 417 (written operating agreement required; 90-day window) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Clerk (in the four NYC boroughs other than Staten Island, the NYC City Register) · no witnesses NY Real Property Law § 291 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More New York legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →