New York's statewide residential rule combines a move-out inspection process with a 14-day return and itemization period. A useful file includes the lease, deposit proof, inspection notices, condition agreement, move-out photos, vacate date, and the landlord's statement.
What must happen within 14 days?
General Obligations Law section 7-108(1-a)(e) says that within 14 days after the tenant vacates, the landlord shall provide an itemized statement supporting any amount retained and return the remainder. If the statement and deposit are not provided within 14 days, the statute says the landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion.
Which deductions does the statute describe?
Section 7-108 lists reasonable and itemized costs for unpaid rent, tenant-caused damage beyond ordinary wear, specified utility charges, and moving or storage of tenant belongings. It says the landlord may not retain for ordinary wear or damage caused by a prior tenant. Applying those categories to disputed facts is a legal question that Reality Contact does not decide.
What is the inspection process?
The statute provides for an initial condition inspection and a pre-move-out inspection when requested under the stated notice conditions. After the later inspection, the landlord provides an itemized list of proposed repairs or cleaning and the tenant has an opportunity to cure before the tenancy ends. The dates and notices should be preserved with the final statement.
What can the Reality Contact check provide?
The free check compares the supplied state and move-out date with the current published deadline and replies by email, including when the deadline has not passed. The $29 tenant packet organizes deductions and a draft letter. The $79 version adds a county-specific court-source list, evidence index, and one revised letter. The $29 landlord version formats the landlord's chosen disposition. Paid packets are not available in California.
Where does the operator boundary sit?
Reality Contact, LLC provides document preparation and a statute-to-letter comparison. This is not legal advice. We do not decide whether a deduction is unlawful, tell anyone whether to sue, file a case, contact the other party, or represent anyone. Paid packets are not available in California. The deadline check is a real reading of the published state rule against the date supplied. Reality Contact is sampling demand for the document packet. We reply by email even when the landlord is still inside the stated period. The current source check starts with this published record.