Last reviewed July 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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New York Security Deposit Return Letter
When a tenancy ends, a New York landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what New York’s statute says.
New York rules at a glance
| Return deadline | 14 days. Within 14 days of move-out the landlord must return the deposit with an itemized statement of any deductions, or forfeit the right to keep any of it — even for real damage.GOL §7-108(1-a)(e) |
|---|---|
| Penalty | A willful violation can cost the landlord up to twice the deposit in punitive damages.GOL §7-108(1-a)(g) |
Security deposits in New York
New York caps the security deposit — and any advance — at one month’s rent for every residential unit (GOL §7-108). That means the old “first month, last month, and a security deposit” arrangement is no longer allowed; it exceeds the one-month cap.
- Held in trust — The deposit stays the tenant’s money and can’t be commingled with the landlord’s funds; in buildings of 6+ units it must sit in an interest-bearing NY account (GOL §7-103).
- Inspections — The landlord must offer a walk-through before move-in and again before move-out (with 48 hours’ notice) so the tenant can fix issues before deductions (GOL §7-108).
- Return — Within 14 days of move-out the landlord must return the deposit with an itemized statement of any deductions. Miss the deadline and the landlord forfeits the right to keep any of it — even for real damage (GOL §7-108(1-a)(e)).
- Bad-faith penalty — A willful violation can cost the landlord up to twice the deposit in punitive damages (GOL §7-108(1-a)(g)).
New York Security Deposit Return Letter FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New York?
No more than one month’s rent, for both regulated and unregulated units. That cap also bars the traditional “first and last month plus a deposit,” since the total advance can’t exceed one month (GOL §7-108).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New York?
14 days after the tenant moves out, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. Missing the 14-day window forfeits the landlord’s right to keep any of the deposit, even if there was damage (GOL §7-108(1-a)(e)).
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Security Deposit Return Letter in other states
- Alabama Security Deposit Return Letter
- Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arizona Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- California Security Deposit Return Letter
- Colorado Security Deposit Return Letter
- Connecticut Security Deposit Return Letter
- Delaware Security Deposit Return Letter
- District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Florida Security Deposit Return Letter
- Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Hawaii Security Deposit Return Letter
- Idaho Security Deposit Return Letter
- Illinois Security Deposit Return Letter
- Indiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter
- Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maine Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maryland Security Deposit Return Letter
- Massachusetts Security Deposit Return Letter
- Michigan Security Deposit Return Letter
- Minnesota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Mississippi Security Deposit Return Letter
- Missouri Security Deposit Return Letter
- Montana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nebraska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nevada Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Hampshire Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Jersey Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Mexico Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Ohio Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oklahoma Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oregon Security Deposit Return Letter
- Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter
- Rhode Island Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter
- Texas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Utah Security Deposit Return Letter
- Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter
- Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Washington Security Deposit Return Letter
- West Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wisconsin Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wyoming Security Deposit Return Letter
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