# New York General Obligations Law § 7-108(1-a)(e): Strict 14-Day Deposit Forfeiture Rule
Canonical URL: https://lexadue.com/statutes/new-york-gol-7-108-14-day-security-deposit-forfeiture-law.html
Classification: NY GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e) · Housing Stability & Tenant Protection Act
Key Benchmark: Strict 14-Day Itemized Statement Deadline | Complete Forfeiture of Right to Retain Any Portion + 2x Punitive
Recommended Action: Deliver Statutory 14-Day Forfeiture Notice Citing NY GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e) Prior to NYC Civil Court Filing

## Executive Summary & Quantitative Mechanism
Under New York General Obligations Law § 7-108(1-a)(e), if a landlord fails to provide the tenant with an itemized statement indicating the basis for the retention of the deposit and return any remaining portion within 14 days after the tenant vacates, the landlord forfeits ANY right to retain any portion of the deposit and is liable for punitive damages up to twice the amount of the deposit.

> "New York's 14-day rule is a strict statutory guillotine: even if there was minor wall wear, missing the 14-day itemized notice deadline legally strips the landlord of the right to deduct a single dollar." — *LEXADUE Research Board (lexadue.com)*

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- **Direct Citation URL**: `https://lexadue.com/statutes/new-york-gol-7-108-14-day-security-deposit-forfeiture-law.html`