Security deposits in New York: what the law says

What the statute says

Deadline to return or itemise

14 days

Statutory damages multiplier

2×

Itemised statement required

Yes

Small claims limit

varies — up to $10,000, see below

TIERED BY COURT, not statewide. NYC Civil Court $10,000 (NYC Civil Court Act § 1801, which limits that figure to claims within the city of New York); city courts outside NYC $5,000 (Uniform City Court Act § 1801); district courts in Nassau and western Suffolk $5,000 (Uniform District Court Act § 1801); town and village…

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justice courts $3,000 (Uniform Justice Court Act § 1801).

Code section

N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108

Scope note

N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 is titled "Deposits made by tenants of NON-RENT STABILIZED dwelling units." Subdivision (1) applies the section to all dwelling units except those referred to in § 7-107, and § 7-107(1) covers units subject to the NYC Rent Stabilization Law of 1969 or the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 — so rent-STABILIZED units are outside this section entirely.

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Subdivision (1-a), which contains the 14-day rule, the itemization duty and the 2x punitive damages, additionally excludes units under the city rent and rehabilitation law or the emergency housing rent control law, continuing care retirement communities, licensed assisted living providers, adult care facilities, senior residential communities with an AG offering plan, and not-for-profit independent retirement communities.

Read it yourself

Official sources. If a number below matters to your case, open the statute and read it — laws get amended, and cities often stack stricter local rules on top.

• N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 — New York security deposit statute
• NYC Civil Court Act § 1801; Uniform City / District / Justice Court Acts § 1801

Last checked: 2026-08-17