Security deposit return deadline in New York

How long a New York landlord has to return the deposit and send an itemized statement — plus a free calculator already set to New York.

New York return deadline

14 days

after move-out · 2 weeks

In New York, 14 days after move-out is the commonly cited deadline for a landlord to return the security deposit and — if any of it is being withheld — deliver a written itemized statement of deductions.

New York detail: 14 days after move-out, with an itemized statement; failure to comply can forfeit the right to retain any of the deposit.

⚠ Informational, not legal advice. Deadlines, counting rules, itemization requirements, and penalties vary by state and city — verify New York's current rules before withholding anything.

Calculate a New York deposit refund

The calculator below is already set to New York, so entering the move-out date gives you the exact 14-day return-by date. Itemize the deductions and download the statement PDF — no account needed.

Deposit + move-out

New York: deposit return deadline

Commonly cited as 14 days after move-out — for this move-out date, that's August 28, 2026.

14 days after move-out, with an itemized statement; failure to comply can forfeit the right to retain any of the deposit.

Deadlines, counting rules (business vs calendar days), and forwarding-address requirements vary — verify your statute before relying on this date.

Itemized deductions

Deduction 1

Normal wear (can't deduct) vs. damage (can deduct)

You generally can't charge the deposit for ordinary aging from normal use — only for damage beyond it, cleaning back to the move-in standard, and unpaid rent.

Normal wear — landlord's costDamage — deductible
Carpet worn flat in walking pathsPet stains, burns, or ripped carpet
A few small nail holes from picturesFist-sized holes in the drywall
Faded or lightly scuffed paintUnapproved paint colors, crayon or marker on walls
Loose grout, dull tub finishCracked tile or a chipped tub from impact
Sticking doors from settlingBroken doors, missing hardware
Sun-faded blinds or curtainsBent, torn, or missing blinds

Names + addresses (for the statement)

Enter the deposit amount above to enable the download.

Deposit held

$0.00

Total deductions

$0.00

Amount to return

$0.00

PreviewUpdates as you type · Final PDF matches this layout

ITEMIZED SECURITY DEPOSIT STATEMENT

(New York)

Date of statement: August 14, 2026

Move-out date: August 14, 2026

TO: ____________________

RE: Security deposit for ____________________

This statement itemizes the disposition of your security deposit for the premises identified above following the termination of your tenancy on August 14, 2026. Supporting documentation is available on request.

DescriptionCategoryAmount
No deductions — deposit returned in full.
Security deposit held$0.00
Total deductions$0.00
AMOUNT RETURNED TO TENANT$0.00

Refund enclosed / to follow

Return by August 28, 2026 (14 days)

$0.00

Signature of landlord / authorized agent

Date

This statement template is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Deposit-return deadlines, itemization requirements, and penalties for wrongful withholding vary by state and city.

New York vs. its neighboring states

Compared with its neighboring states: Vermont uses the same 14 days; Connecticut (30 days), Massachusetts (30 days), New Jersey (30 days) and Pennsylvania (30 days) allow longer.

StateReturn deadline
New York (this page)14 days
Connecticut30 days
Massachusetts30 days
New Jersey30 days
Pennsylvania30 days
Vermont14 days

Of the 49 jurisdictions with a commonly cited figure — out of the 51 we track, the 50 states plus DC — 0 are tighter than New York's 14 days and 43 allow longer. The median across the country is 30 days, and the spread runs from 14 to 60.

What New York's 14-day deadline does not tell you

The headline number is the part everyone quotes and the smallest part of the actual obligation. These are the details that decide whether a deposit return holds up:

  • When the clock actually starts. Several states start or extend the clock when the tenant provides a forwarding address in writing rather than at move-out. Do not assume the move-out date is the trigger until you have checked the statute in New York.
  • Business days vs. calendar days. A few states count business days instead of calendar days, which is a materially different deadline. The 14-day figure here is generally cited as calendar days.
  • A faster track when nothing is withheld. Some states require a quicker refund when the deposit is returned in full. If you are withholding nothing, returning it promptly is the low-risk move regardless.
  • The itemized statement itself. Nearly every state requires a written, line-by-line statement whenever any amount is withheld, delivered inside the same deadline. A refund with no statement can be as much of a problem as a late refund.
  • Interest and local ordinances. Some states and a number of cities require interest on held deposits or add receipt requirements. Check your municipality, not just the state.
  • Prorating for useful life. Replacing a ten-year-old carpet the tenant damaged does not entitle you to charge for a brand-new one. Most states expect the deduction to reflect the item's remaining useful life.

Move-out sequence for a New York landlord

  1. Photograph everything the day the keys come back — dated, room by room, against your move-in record.
  2. Get the forwarding address in writing. Even where it does not change the deadline, it decides where the statement goes.
  3. Calendar the deadline immediately. 14 days from move-out — the calculator above prints the exact date.
  4. Itemize each deduction with a description, a category, and a real amount backed by an invoice or estimate.
  5. Send the statement and the refund together, and keep proof of how and when you sent them.

New York security deposits: common questions

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

In New York, 14 days after move-out is the commonly cited deadline to return the deposit and, if you are withholding anything, deliver a written itemized statement of deductions. 14 days after move-out, with an itemized statement; failure to comply can forfeit the right to retain any of the deposit. That is 2 weeks — calendar it the day the keys come back.

What happens if a New York landlord misses the deadline?

Missing a deposit deadline is one of the more expensive small mistakes in landlording. Depending on the state, a late or missing itemized statement can forfeit the right to withhold anything at all, and several states add a multiple-damages penalty on top. The note above for New York flags exactly that kind of exposure. Treat the 14-day deadline in New York as a hard date, not a target — send the statement and any refund with time to spare, and keep proof of when it went out.

What can be deducted from a security deposit in New York?

The usual three categories: unpaid rent, cleaning needed to bring the unit back to its move-in condition, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Ordinary aging is not deductible — worn carpet in the traffic paths, sun-faded blinds, light scuffs, a handful of small nail holes. Each deduction should be its own line with a real amount behind it, not a round number. The calculator above builds that itemization and totals what is left to return.

Does the New York clock count business days or calendar days?

The 14-day figure is generally cited as calendar days, running from move-out. Some states start the clock when the tenant provides a forwarding address in writing instead, so check whether that applies to your tenancy before you rely on the move-out date. A handful of states count business days, which is a materially different deadline; do not assume yours does either way.

A disputed deduction is won with dated records

Put a QR code in every unit. Tenants scan and submit a repair in about 30 seconds — photos, urgency, no app and no account. Every request, photo, and status change stays on one board, so at move-out you already have the history of what was reported, what you fixed, and what the tenant never mentioned. Setup takes about a minute.

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