Everything a landlord or tenant needs to know about New York rental law: security deposit limits, notice periods, late fees, evictions, and required disclosures. Updated for 2026.
In New York, the maximum security deposit a landlord can collect is 1 month's rent (per 2019 hstpa). After a tenant moves out, landlords have 14 days to return the deposit (minus any legitimate deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear).
Interest on deposits: Required for buildings with 6+ units.
Best practice: Provide an itemized statement of any deductions alongside the returned deposit. Most states require this, and it's your best defense if a tenant disputes charges. Document the unit condition with dated photos at both move-in and move-out.
These notice periods are statutory minimums. A lease can require more notice than the statute, but it can never require less. If your lease is silent on an issue, the state statute controls.
Late fee limit: 5% of monthly rent or $50, whichever is less.
Grace period: 5 days required.
Late fees must be specified in the lease to be enforceable. A late fee that isn't written into the lease generally cannot be collected, even if the state allows it.
Yes — NYC rent stabilization, some Westchester/Nassau
A New York landlord must give reasonable notice (24 hours typical) of notice before entering a rental unit, except in emergencies.
Permitted reasons for entry:
New York landlords must disclose the following in the lease or at lease signing:
Missing a required disclosure can give tenants grounds to break the lease or withhold rent — even if the underlying condition is fine. This is low-effort compliance worth getting right.
A typical uncontested eviction in New York takes 3-6 months typical (NYC can be 6-12 months) from filing to lockout, assuming the tenant doesn't answer or fight the case.
Contested evictions take significantly longer, especially if the tenant raises habitability defenses or claims retaliation. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal in every state, including New York.
Plain-English deep dives on the most-asked New York rental law questions, with statutes, deadlines, and FAQs.
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