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New York security deposit demand letter
For dwelling units covered by New York General Obligations Law § 7-108(1-a), the landlord has 14 days after the tenant vacates to provide an itemized statement and return any remaining deposit. Missing that deadline forfeits any right to keep the deposit. Rent-stabilized units referred to in § 7-107, and the rent-controlled and licensed housing listed as exceptions in § 7-108(1-a), are outside that paragraph.
Laws change. Read the official source and confirm it still applies to your tenancy. Local ordinances are not summarized here. This page is not legal advice.
Return deadline
14 days after the tenant vacates, for units covered by § 7-108(1-a).
Section 7-108(1-a)(e), as published by the New York Senate, says that within fourteen days after the tenant has vacated, the landlord shall provide an itemized statement indicating the basis for the amount retained, if any, and shall return any remaining portion. Section 7-108 applies to residential dwelling units unless the unit is specifically referred to in § 7-107. Subdivision 1-a also excepts units under the city rent and rehabilitation law or the emergency housing rent control law, and certain licensed care and senior housing. This page does not summarize § 7-107.
N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e). New York State Senate, General Obligations Law § 7-108. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
If the deposit is kept improperly
Missing the 14-day statement forfeits the deposit. A willful violation can add punitive damages of up to twice the deposit.
Section 7-108(1-a)(e) says that if the landlord fails to provide the statement and deposit within fourteen days, the landlord shall forfeit any right to retain any portion of the deposit. Section 7-108(1-a)(g) says a person who violates the subdivision shall be liable for actual damages, and a person found to have willfully violated it shall be liable for punitive damages of up to twice the amount of the deposit or advance.
N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e), (g). New York State Senate, General Obligations Law § 7-108. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Itemized deductions
Yes. An itemized statement of the basis for any amount retained is required within 14 days.
Section 7-108(1-a)(e) requires an itemized statement indicating the basis for the amount of the deposit retained, if any, together with any remaining deposit.
N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e). New York State Senate, General Obligations Law § 7-108. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Forwarding address
The Senate text of § 7-108 does not mention a written forwarding address.
A reading of the § 7-108 text published by the New York Senate on the verified date found no use of “forwarding,” “mailing address,” or “last known address.” The 14-day duty in § 7-108(1-a)(e) is written as running from the tenant vacating. Sending an address where the refund can be mailed is a practical step this statute does not spell out.
N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108. New York State Senate, General Obligations Law § 7-108. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Written demand before a case
We did not verify a statute that requires a demand letter before every New York case about a deposit. Ask the court clerk or a legal aid lawyer before you rely on a filing rule.
Free sample with blanks
Copy this outline and fill the brackets yourself. The statute sentence is from the checked note above, not from a generated draft.
[Date] [Your name] [Your current address] [Landlord name] [Landlord address] Re: Return of security deposit for [rental address] Dear [Landlord name], I rented [rental address] from [move-in date] through [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[deposit]. You have returned $[amount already returned]. I am asking for the remaining $[balance]. What happened: [Describe the move-out, the condition of the unit, and any list of deductions you did or did not receive. Two or three sentences are enough.] Under N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e), 14 days after the tenant vacates, for units covered by § 7-108(1-a). Missing the 14-day statement forfeits the deposit. A willful violation can add punitive damages of up to twice the deposit. Please pay $[balance] within [14] days by [check or money order]. I can provide [receipts, photos, the lease, or messages]. Sincerely, [Your name] Sample note: the statute sentences above come from New York State Senate, General Obligations Law § 7-108, last verified 2026-11-10. Laws change. This sample is a formatting example, not legal advice.
Official and free resources
- General Obligations Law § 7-108 — Official session-law compilation published by the Senate.
- Small claims help — Court limits differ in New York City, city courts, and town and village courts.
- New York City Small Claims Part — NYC Civil Court describes the $10,000 small claims limit.
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