New York security deposit law: 14 days to return it, and the penalty
How long a landlord has to return a security deposit in New York, what must be sent, and the penalty, read in New York General Obligations Law Section 7-108.
The deadline
Within 14 days after you move out, the landlord must send an itemized statement of the amount kept, if any, and return the rest.
The penalty
Without the statement and the deposit within 14 days, the landlord loses any right to keep any part of the deposit and must prove that any amount kept was reasonable.
A landlord who willfully breaks this law can owe up to twice the amount of the deposit.
What to do
Send a written demand that cites the law, by certified mail or email, and keep proof. If the landlord does not pay, you can file in small claims court in the county of the rental.
Source: New York General Obligations Law Section 7-108, read on November 3, 2026.