New York security deposit demand letter
Create a New York security deposit demand letter using the residential-deposit rules verified July 24, 2026. The form checks the facts that control statutory coverage, the return clock, itemization, notice, and any qualified remedy before it inserts state-law text.
What law governs a residential security deposit in New York?
New York uses different statutes by housing type. Ordinary covered rentals use GOL § 7-108. Rent-stabilized or ETPA agreements entered or renewed on or after November 15, 2025 use § 7-107. Rent-controlled, specified care or senior housing, and older transitional agreements generally remain under § 7-103 without the same 14-day remedy package. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: GOL § 7-108; GOL § 7-107.
Source: GOL § 7-108 · Verified July 24, 2026
When is a security deposit or accounting due in New York?
Covered ordinary rentals and rent-stabilized or ETPA agreements entered or renewed on or after November 15, 2025 use a 14-day deadline after the tenant vacates. Rent-controlled, excluded special-housing, and older transitional agreements do not receive that fixed deadline under §§ 7-107 and 7-108; § 7-103’s trust rule still applies. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e); GOL § 7-107(6).
Source: GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e) · Verified July 24, 2026
What itemization or documentation is required in New York?
For the covered § 7-108 and post-November 15, 2025 § 7-107 branches, yes: the landlord must provide an itemized statement within the same 14-day period. The letter requests only the itemization, accounting, and supporting documents required by that rule. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e)–(f); GOL § 7-107(6)–(7).
Source: GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e)–(f) · Verified July 24, 2026
What remedy may apply if a New York landlord does not comply?
In the covered branches, failure to provide both the statement and deposit within 14 days causes the landlord to forfeit any right to retain any portion of the deposit. In a covered branch, forfeiture of the deduction right follows from failure to timely provide the statement and deposit and has no express willfulness requirement. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e), (g); GOL § 7-107(6), (8).
Source: GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e), (g) · Verified July 24, 2026
Does New York require a demand, delivery method, or prescribed form?
No special delivery method for the tenant’s outgoing security-deposit demand applies in any New York branch. Where the 14-day duty applies, it operates without a tenant demand. No prescribed security-deposit demand form or mandatory wording applies. Verified July 24, 2026. Source: GOL § 7-108; GOL § 7-107; GOL §§ 7-103, 7-107, 7-108.
Source: GOL § 7-108; GOL §§ 7-103, 7-107, 7-108 · Verified July 24, 2026
New York requires a three-part applicability analysis. (1) For ordinary residential units that are neither rent-stabilized/ETPA units nor within § 7-108(1-a)’s enumerated exclusions, the primary statute is N.Y. General Obligations Law § 7-108. (2) For units subject to the New York City Rent Stabilization Law or the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, current GOL § 7-107 supplies the parallel protections only where the lease, rental agreement, or renewal was entered into on or after November 15, 2025. (3) Section 7-108(1-a) expressly excludes units subject to the City Rent and Rehabilitation Law or Emergency Housing Rent Control Law, as well as enumerated continuing-care, assisted-living, adult-care, and specified senior-community housing; Chapter 436’s expanded § 7-107 also does not apply to a rent-stabilized lease/agreement/renewal entered before November 15, 2025. Those excluded or transitional units remain subject to the general security-deposit trust rule in GOL § 7-103, but the cited provisions do not supply the same fixed 14-day/itemization/enhanced-remedy package.