💰 New York
Get your deposit back in New York
How long your landlord has to return it, what they can legally deduct, and a demand letter ready to send.
Return deadline in New York
14 days
After you move out, your landlord must return the deposit or send an itemized statement of any deductions.
Source: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108 · reviewed Jul 3, 2026
Educational information, not legal advice - figures are general and laws change. How we keep this accurate & where to verify → · Spot an error? Tell us →
How long does my landlord have to return my deposit in New York?
In New York, a landlord generally has about 14 days after you move out to return your security deposit, or to send an itemized list of any deductions. If that deadline passes with no deposit and no itemized statement, your landlord may be in violation.
They can only deduct for unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear - not ordinary wear like faded paint, worn carpet, or small nail holes, and usually not routine cleaning. Many states also let you recover extra statutory damages if a landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit.
Enter your details below to estimate what you're owed and generate a demand letter you can send today.
What a landlord can and can't deduct in New York
Can be deducted
- Unpaid rent you still owe
- Repair of damage beyond normal wear and tear
- Unpaid utilities or fees the lease makes your responsibility
- Cleaning to return the unit to move-in condition (not routine cleaning)
Can't be deducted
- Normal wear: faded paint, worn carpet, small nail holes
- Routine cleaning between tenants
- Pre-existing damage that was there when you moved in
- Ordinary aging of appliances or fixtures
Documenting the unit's condition at move-out is the best way to challenge an unfair deduction in New York.
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New York security deposit FAQ
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New York?
In New York, a landlord generally must return your security deposit - or send an itemized statement of any deductions - within about 14 days after you move out. If that deadline passes with no deposit and no itemized list, the landlord may be in violation.
What can a landlord deduct from my deposit in New York?
Generally only unpaid rent and the cost of repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear. Ordinary wear - faded paint, worn carpet, small nail holes - and routine cleaning usually can't be charged against your deposit.
What if my landlord won't return my deposit in New York?
Send a written, dated demand letter that references the 14-day deadline and the amount you're owed. If the landlord still won't pay, small claims court is built for exactly this - it's inexpensive and you don't need a lawyer. Many states also let you recover extra statutory damages when a deposit is wrongfully withheld.
Can I get more than my deposit back in New York?
Possibly. In many states a landlord who wrongfully withholds a deposit can owe additional statutory damages - sometimes a multiple of the deposit - plus court costs. Check New York's specific penalty rule before you file, and keep proof of your move-out condition and your demand letter.
See all of New York's renter protections - New York tenant rights →
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