Landlord & Tenant Laws in New York.

A tenant should preserve move-out photos, communications, and a forwarding address because New York’s deposit-return rule requires a prompt 14-day accounting after the tenant vacates.

In New York, a landlord generally must return the security deposit within 14 days after the tenant vacates, together with an itemized statement of any lawful deductions. For most residential leases, New York also limits the security deposit to one month’s rent.

If a landlord wrongfully withholds a security deposit, New York law may allow the tenant to recover the money due and, in the right case, punitive damages up to twice the amount of the deposit.