Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 258 § 258-6
Return of security deposit by landlord to tenant
Operative Text
A. Within 30 days after the termination of tenancy or the surrender of the premises, whichever occurs later, the landlord shall return to the tenant the full security deposit deposited with the landlord by the tenant or, if there is actual cause for retaining the security deposit or any portion of it, the landlord shall provide to the tenant a written statement specifying the reasons for such retention, including a good-faith estimate of the cost for each item of damage. The written statement specifying the reasons for the retention of any portion of the security deposit shall be accompanied by a full payment of the difference between the security deposit and the amount retained. Nothing contained in this section shall preclude the landlord from retaining all or a portion of the security deposit to cover the costs of storing and/or disposing of unclaimed property, for nonpayment of rent and for nonpayment of utility charges which the tenant was required to pay directly to the landlord. B. If there is a provision in a rental agreement that a tenant is responsible to reimburse or apply from a security deposit any amounts due from tickets written pursuant to Chapter 178 of this Code for the property or residential unit being rented, it shall be the landlord's responsibility to give the tenant notice of that ticket in a timely fashion as a condition to enforce that provision, and in order to help the tenant correct and prevent the condition for which the ticket was issued. Timely notice shall be no later than three weeks from the date the ticket is sent from the court to the landlord. Failure to provide such notice shall serve as the landlord's waiver of reimbursement or application of security deposit for any ticket for which notice was not given. C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to imply other than it is the landlord's responsibility to return the tenant's security deposit or balance as soon as reasonably possible.
Under Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 258 § 258-6, landlords must return a tenant's full security deposit within 30 days after the tenancy ends or the premises are surrendered, whichever is later. If any portion is withheld, the landlord must provide a written statement explaining each reason for retention along with a good-faith cost estimate per item, and must simultaneously return whatever portion is not being kept. The rule also addresses ticket-related deductions, requiring landlords to notify tenants of any code violation tickets within three weeks of receiving them from the court, or else forfeit the right to apply the deposit toward those tickets.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 258 § 258-6 generally track the exact date tenancy terminates and the date keys or possession are surrendered, using the later of the two to calculate the 30-day return deadline. When retaining any portion of a deposit, compliant landlords prepare a written itemization that names each damage or charge, includes a good-faith cost estimate for each item, and accompanies the statement with a check for the remaining balance. Landlords who wish to enforce ticket-related reimbursement clauses under this section also maintain a practice of forwarding Chapter 178 violation notices to tenants within three weeks of receiving them from the court, since failure to do so constitutes a waiver of that deduction.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 258 § 258-6, tenants are entitled to receive their full security deposit—or a written itemization plus the uncontested balance—within 30 days of the later of lease termination or surrender of the unit. If a landlord withholds funds without providing the required written statement and accompanying payment, or fails to give timely notice of a code-violation ticket, tenants may have grounds to challenge those deductions. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated can explore options such as raising the violation in small claims court, contacting a local tenant-rights organization in Ithaca, or consulting with a housing attorney to understand available remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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