DisputeKit / States / New York
Your consumer rights in New York
What New York and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each. Guía del depósito en español.
Security deposits
14 days. Under New York General Obligations Law § 7-108, a landlord must provide an itemized statement of any amount retained and return the remaining deposit within 14 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. If they miss that deadline, they lose the right to keep any part of the deposit. A court may also award punitive damages of up to twice the amount of the deposit for a willful violation.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
New York has its own automatic-renewal law for subscriptions, on top of the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.
Small claims and complaints in New York
- New York consumer law
- New York General Business Law § 349
- Where to file a complaint
- New York Attorney General, Consumer Frauds Bureau
- Filing fee
- $15 for claims up to $1,000 and $20 above that in New York City