New York Rental Inspections and Security Deposits: A Renter's Recordkeeping Guide

A good rental inspection record separates what you observed from what anyone later concludes. Record the room, item, condition, location, and a short factual note. Keep related emails, notices, dated photos, and the final report together.

At move-in

Walk through the home before occupancy when the applicable process allows it. Note existing defects, cleaning issues, missing items, and anything that does not work. Ask the other party to acknowledge the written condition record, and keep your copy for the entire tenancy.

Botway's free New York Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist provides a customizable, locally saved room-by-room record. It does not upload photo files or decide responsibility.

Landlords and property managers can organize the broader deposit lifecycle with Botway's New York Landlord Security Deposit Checklist, including banking, interest, inspection timing, possible deductions, return deadlines, and delivery records.

Before move-out

New York's statutory inspection procedures differ by housing category. For supported dwellings, current General Obligations Law provisions include a tenant-requested inspection during a defined pre-move-out window, written notice of the inspection time, an itemized statement of proposed repairs or cleaning, and an opportunity to cure before the tenancy ends. This matches NY General Obligations Law § 7-108(1-a)(d) (accessed 2026-08-01), which requires written notice of the right to an inspection, at least 48 hours' written notice of the inspection date/time, an itemized statement of proposed deductions, and a cure opportunity before the tenancy ends, for non-rent-stabilized units; parallel provisions for rent-stabilized units appear at § 7-107. Confirm your coverage and current dates using the statute and official agency guidance.

After vacating

Keep evidence of the actual date the home was vacated or surrendered, return of keys, the final condition, and a forwarding address. Retain any itemized statement and deposit payment. Do not assume that every disagreement is resolved by a checklist; responsibility, ordinary wear, and the reasonableness of a charge can be disputed factual or legal questions.

Official sources

• NY General Obligations Law § 7-107
• NY General Obligations Law § 7-108
• NYS Homes and Community Renewal lease guidance
• New York Attorney General Residential Tenants' Rights Guide

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Housing status and coverage can be fact-specific.

Sources

• "Section 7-107: Deposits made by tenants of rent stabilized dwelling units," NY Senate (General Obligations Law), https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/7-107, accessed 2026-08-01.
• "Section 7-108: Deposits made by tenants of non-rent stabilized dwelling units," NY Senate (General Obligations Law), https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/7-108, accessed 2026-08-01.
• "Leases," NYS Homes and Community Renewal, https://hcr.ny.gov/leases, accessed 2026-08-01.
• "Residential Tenants' Rights Guide," New York Attorney General, https://ag.ny.gov/publications/residential-tenants-rights-guide, accessed 2026-08-01.

Coordinate the full turnover

Landlords can use the free Turnover Countdown Planner to place the inspection and deposit-return workflow alongside renewal, marketing, possession, vendor, and new-tenancy milestones.

Selling the property with deposits still held

The Security Deposit Transfer at Sale Tool creates an informational multi-unit transfer ledger. The Tenant-Occupied Sale Transaction Checklist organizes the surrounding lease, rent-roll, access, buyer-diligence, and closing-handoff file. If regulatory status is uncertain, use the Rent Regulation Question Screener before relying on the rent roll and have qualified counsel review the result.