Security deposit law in New York

The rule in New York

New York limits a residential security deposit to 1 month's rent. The wording in N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(a), (e): “No deposit or advance shall exceed the amount of one month's rent.”

The return deadline is 14 days, counted after the tenant vacates. The text reads: “Within fourteen days after the tenant has vacated the premises.”

Of the 44 jurisdictions verified here, 0 give landlords less time and 39 give more; the median is 30 days. Alaska, Hawaii, Nebraska and Vermont also allow 14 days.

What the cap means in dollars: $1,000 rent: up to $1,000, $1,500 rent: up to $1,500 and $2,000 rent: up to $2,000.

Worked date: if the clock starts on November 30, 2026, the deadline falls on December 14, 2026.

In neighbouring states with verified rules: Connecticut allows 21 days and caps deposits at two months' rent, Massachusetts allows 30 days and caps deposits at one month's rent, New Jersey allows 30 days and caps deposits at one and a half months' rent, Pennsylvania allows 30 days and caps deposits at two months' rent and Vermont allows 14 days and sets no cap.

If a deposit is not returned, the small claims limit in New York is $10,000 (small claims rules); at the cap, a full-deposit claim fits whenever rent is $10,000 a month or less.

Source: New York State Senate, General Obligations Law § 7-108 · last checked October 20, 2026.

If the deposit does not come back

The statute above sets the deadline; what happens after it passes is covered in general terms in the guide on a deposit that is not returned, and the way each state starts and counts the clock is compared in how deposit deadlines are counted.