Landlord & Housing · free generator
New York Security Deposit Demand Letter
You moved out, you left the place in decent shape, and your deposit still has not come back. In New York, that is not a judgment call: under New York General Obligations Law section 7-108, your former landlord generally has 14 days to return your deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. This generator produces a demand letter that cites N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 by name, states the legal deadline, and puts your landlord on notice that small claims court — where New York hears claims up to $10,000 — is the next stop. You do not need perfect English or a lawyer for this; the statute does the arguing. Fill in the blanks below, send it by certified mail, and keep a copy — the letter that cites the actual law is the one that gets answered.
[Date]
[Your former landlord's name]
Re: Demand for return of security deposit — [Rental property address]
Dear [Your former landlord's name],
I am writing to formally demand the return of my security deposit of [Deposit amount] for the property at [Rental property address], which I have vacated and returned to your possession.
Under New York General Obligations Law section 7-108 (N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108), you were required to return my security deposit, or provide a written itemized statement of any lawful deductions, within 14 days. Yes - an itemized statement specifying the basis for every retained amount must accompany the return within 14 days; failing to send it on time forfeits the landlord's right to keep anything. Deductions for normal wear and tear are not permitted.
As of the date of this letter, I have received neither my deposit nor a lawful accounting for it. Please send the full amount of [Deposit amount] to my forwarding address: [Forwarding address for payment].
If I do not receive payment or a lawful written response within 10 days, I will file a claim in small claims court, where New York law allows claims up to $10,000, and I will pursue every remedy available under N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108, including any statutory damages for wrongful retention.
I would prefer to resolve this without litigation. Prompt payment will close the matter.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
Know your rights
Security deposit law in New York
- Return deadline
- 14 days
- Governing statute
- N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108
- When the clock starts
- The landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement justifying any amount kept, within 14 days after the tenant vacates the premises.
- Itemized deductions
- Yes - an itemized statement specifying the basis for every retained amount must accompany the return within 14 days; failing to send it on time forfeits the landlord's right to keep anything.
- If it's wrongfully kept
- A landlord who misses the 14-day itemized statement forfeits any right to retain any portion of the deposit, and a willful violation exposes the landlord to punitive damages of up to twice the deposit on top of actual damages.
- Small claims limit
- $10,000 NYC Civil Court; $5,000 city courts; $3,000 town/village courts
Worth knowing: Since the June 14, 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, deposits are capped statewide at one month's rent, with narrow exceptions such as seasonal units. You have the right to demand a move-out inspection one to two weeks before the tenancy ends, after which the landlord must give an itemized notice of proposed deductions so you can cure them before leaving. In buildings with six or more units, a separate provision (GOL 7-103) requires the deposit to sit in a New York interest-bearing account with interest owed to you, minus a 1 percent administrative fee.
Last reviewed August 2026 · General information, not legal advice · Read the statute
Field notes
Three tips before you send
- Send it by certified mail with a return receipt — that dated record is the first exhibit a New York small claims judge will ask about. Keep a copy with your move-out photos and lease.
- The landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement justifying any amount kept, within 14 days after the tenant vacates the premises.
- If the deadline has already passed, skip the text-message negotiation. Filing in small claims ($10,000 NYC Civil Court; $5,000 city courts; $3,000 town/village courts) usually costs under $75, and most landlords pay between the summons and the hearing.
Other states
Deposit letters for every state
Straight answers
Questions people ask
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New York?
The landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement justifying any amount kept, within 14 days after the tenant vacates the premises. The governing statute is New York General Obligations Law section 7-108. Yes - an itemized statement specifying the basis for every retained amount must accompany the return within 14 days; failing to send it on time forfeits the landlord's right to keep anything.
What can I recover if my landlord wrongfully keeps my deposit in New York?
A landlord who misses the 14-day itemized statement forfeits any right to retain any portion of the deposit, and a willful violation exposes the landlord to punitive damages of up to twice the deposit on top of actual damages. These cases are built for small claims court — the New York limit is $10,000 NYC Civil Court; $5,000 city courts; $3,000 town/village courts, filing fees are modest, and no lawyer is needed.
Anything else New York renters should know about deposits?
Since the June 14, 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, deposits are capped statewide at one month's rent, with narrow exceptions such as seasonal units. You have the right to demand a move-out inspection one to two weeks before the tenancy ends, after which the landlord must give an itemized notice of proposed deductions so you can cure them before leaving. In buildings with six or more units, a separate provision (GOL 7-103) requires the deposit to sit in a New York interest-bearing account with interest owed to you, minus a 1 percent administrative fee.
Keep going
Related letters
Lease Termination Letter →
Formal notice with your move-out date, inspection request, and deposit instructions.
Demand Letter for Payment →
The last letter before small claims - amount, deadline, and consequence, in writing.
Repair Request Letter to Landlord →
A dated repair demand with a 14-day deadline your landlord can't claim they never got.