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Get your security deposit back in New York

Your landlord must act within 14 days after the tenant vacates under N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

14 days
to return or itemize
2×
potential damages on wrongful withholding
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
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What New York law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 14 days after the tenant vacates
StatuteN.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingMissing the 14-day itemization forfeits the right to retain any portion; willful violations can add punitive damages up to twice the deposit.
Worth knowingStatewide rules post-HSTPA 2019; deposit capped at one month's rent.

This is general legal information about N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld in full → exposure of up to $3,000.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

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How your New York letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108, the 14-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

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New York deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New York?
Under N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108, the landlord generally must act within 14 days after the tenant vacates. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the New York deadline?
Missing the 14-day itemization forfeits the right to retain any portion; willful violations can add punitive damages up to twice the deposit. A written demand letter that cites N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in New York?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed New York attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.