Signing early
Signing next year's group lease this fall?
With five names on one lease, each of you can owe all the rent if someone leaves.
Add your lease and we flag risky clauses in plain English. Then put who pays what in a housemate agreement.
🏔️ Cornell & Ithaca
Renting in Collegetown? Check it before you sign.
Free tools for Cornell students to check listings and leases, get repairs done and get your deposit back
What you can do here
Free, private, no sign-up
14days to get your deposit back in NY
$20max for a credit or background check
1 momax security deposit
House hunting
Is that Collegetown listing real?
Cheap, available right now, and they want money before you've seen it? That's the classic scam.
Paste the listing or message and we point out the scam warning signs.
Mid-semester
Landlord ignoring a repair?
No heat, a leak, mold. Texts are easy to ignore and hard to prove later.
Answer a few questions and get a formal, dated repair request letter ready to send.
After move-out
Deposit not back yet?
In New York your landlord has 14 days after move-out to return it or send a list of deductions.
Check whether the deadline has passed and create a demand letter that cites New York law.
🙋 Real humans
Need someone in your corner?
Tools get you organized. These folks can advise you
Quick answers
How long does an Ithaca landlord have to return my deposit?
14 days after you move out, either the deposit or an itemized list of deductions. Leave a forwarding address in writing.
Can they charge a big application fee?
No. New York caps background and credit check fees at $20, or the actual cost if lower.
Is this an official Cornell resource?
No. For personal help, book time with Cornell Off-Campus Living.
Independent and free. Not affiliated with Cornell University. Not legal advice. Last reviewed September 2026. Run a group for these renters and want something changed? Tell us
Educational information, not legal advice - figures are general and laws change. How we keep this accurate & where to verify → · Spot an error? Tell us →