The Buffalo security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your Buffalo landlord must act within 14 days after the tenant vacates under N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108. If they missed it, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in Buffalo are governed by New York state law: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108. Missing the 14-day itemization forfeits the right to retain any portion; willful violations can add punitive damages up to twice the deposit. Full New York deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Buffalo are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Erie County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Buffalo at a glance
Population ~276,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 14-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed New York attorney.