How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New York?

14 days after the tenant vacates (N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 7-107, 7-108).

What the statute says

The New York letter restates the statute this way:

Under section 7-108(1-a)(e) of the New York General Obligations Law, within fourteen days after the tenant has vacated the premises, the landlord must provide the tenant with an itemized statement indicating the basis for the amount of the deposit retained, if any, and must return any remaining portion of the deposit to the tenant.

For rent stabilized units, the letter cites section 7-107(6) in place of section 7-108(1-a)(e).

Statute: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 7-107, 7-108. Read the statute (7-108), Read the statute (7-107).

Last reviewed: October 2026