How to Get Your NYC Security Deposit Back (Full Checklist)
8 min readHandyAce Team
Why Landlords Keep Your Deposit
In NYC, landlords are legally allowed to keep your security deposit only for damage beyond normal wear and tear — but the line is fuzzy, and most landlords push it as far as they can. The most common deductions:
Nail holes and anchor holes in walls
Scuffed paint and marks
Burnt-out light bulbs
Stains on floors
Broken blinds or fixtures
Cleaning fees (often $200-$500)
The good news: fixing this stuff yourself usually costs $50-$200, while a landlord will charge $500-$1,500 for the same repairs.
The Move-Out Checklist (4 Weeks Before)
Walls — Patch & Touch Up
Walk every room with a notepad and count every hole. Then:
Small holes (nails, anchors) — fill with lightweight spackle (Dap Crackshot, $4), let dry 30 min, sand smooth, touch up paint
Medium holes (over 1") — need a drywall patch kit ($8), more time
Wall scuffs — Magic Eraser ($3) removes 80% of marks without paint
⚠️ Match your paint exactly. Mismatched touch-ups look worse than the original damage. Most NYC landlords use cheap builder white — buy a sample can ($8) of Benjamin Moore Decorator's White or Sherwin Williams Pure White and test on a closet wall first.
Floors — Deep Clean + Spot Repair
Hardwood scratches — Old English Scratch Cover ($7) hides minor marks
Carpet stains — Folex spray ($8) is the closest thing to magic for almost any stain
Scuff marks on linoleum — WD-40 + paper towel
Bathroom
Caulk — if the white caulk around tub/sink is moldy, peel it out and re-caulk ($6 for a tube of GE Silicone II)
Grout — Mr. Clean Magic Eraser + bleach pen
Toilet seat — replace if cracked or stained ($25 from Home Depot)
Shower head — descale with vinegar bag (tie bag of white vinegar around it overnight)
Kitchen
Appliance interiors — full clean, no exceptions
Range hood filter — soak in hot water + dish soap or replace ($15)
Stove drip pans — replace if scorched ($10 for 4)
Cabinet hinges — tighten any loose screws
Light Bulbs & Fixtures
Every burnt-out bulb — replace before walkthrough. Landlords charge $20-$50 per bulb they replace.
Smoke detector batteries — replace (NYC code requires working detectors)
Tighten loose switch plates and outlet covers
Final Clean
Either deep-clean yourself or hire a one-time NYC apartment cleaning ($150-$300 for studio/1BR). A receipt from a professional cleaner is the single best defense against a cleaning fee deduction.
The Walkthrough — How to Win It
Always schedule a walkthrough with the landlord BEFORE you move out — never let them inspect alone after you're gone. NY State law (Section 7-108) gives you the right to be present.
During the walkthrough:
Take dated photos of every room from multiple angles
Use the timestamp feature in your camera app (or ask Siri "what time is it")
Take a video walkthrough narrating "this is the kitchen, no damage to floor, fridge clean, etc."
Get the landlord's verbal confirmation on camera that things look good
Get a written punch list if they find issues — fix what you can on the spot
Your Legal Rights in NY State
Even after you move out, landlords must follow strict rules:
They have 14 days to return your deposit (or itemized deductions)
They must give you an itemized list of any deductions with receipts
Deductions must be for actual damage, not "wear and tear"
They cannot charge for routine repainting or carpet replacement after 3+ years of tenancy
If they violate these — they forfeit their right to keep ANY of your deposit. You can sue in small claims court (filing fee $20 in NYC) and likely win without a lawyer.
When to Call HandyAce
If your move-out list has more than you can handle in a weekend — call us. Common move-out packages:
Full move-out paint ($599-$1,499) — entire 1BR walls painted to original color
The full reset ($499-$899) — patch, paint touch-up, replace broken hardware, light cleaning
We can usually complete a 1BR move-out package in a single day. Most of our customers pay us $300-$500 to save $1,000-$2,000 they would have lost to the landlord.