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New York Security Deposit Interest Calculator & Escrow Rules

Verified Primary Statute: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103 · Last Checked: Spot a law update? Report it
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In New York, interest reflects actual bank yield less a 1% landlord administrative fee.

New York Interest StatusExempt / Below Threshold
Net Interest Owed to Tenant:

$0.00

Property has 1 units, which is below New York's statutory threshold of 6 units required under N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103.

Effective Annual Interest Rate:2.50% per year
Gross Accrued Interest:$0.00
Governing Authority:N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103

New York Deposit Interest Laws at a Glance (N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103)

Payable annually to tenant in cash, applied toward rent, or held in trust until tenancy termination.

Statutory Interest Mandate Mandatory under state law
Statutory Interest Rate 2.5% per year (N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103)
Minimum Tenancy Duration 12 months of continuous tenancy
Escrow Account & Banking Rule Buildings with 6 or more units must deposit security funds in an interest-bearing New York banking organization.
Governing Statute N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103 ↗

Related New York Rental Compliance Tools

Key New York Statutory Nuances & Escrow Case Law

  • 6-Unit Statutory Threshold: Mandatory interest requirements apply only to rental residential buildings containing 6 or more units.
  • 1% Landlord Administrative Allowance: Landlord is legally entitled to withdraw 1% per year of the deposit amount to cover administrative expenses.
  • Prohibition on Commingling: Security deposits remain tenant property held in trust; commingling with landlord personal funds forfeits all deduction rights.
Worked Statutory Calculation

Brooklyn 10-Unit Apartment Escrow Calculation

Deposit Amount:

$2,500

Tenancy Months:

12 months

Net Statutory Interest:

$37.50

On a $2,500 deposit in a 10-unit building with a 2.5% bank yield ($62.50), the landlord retains the 1% administrative fee ($25.00), paying $37.50 net interest to the tenant.

New York Security Deposit Interest FAQs

Does New York law require interest on security deposits?

Under N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-103, landlords of buildings with 6 or more residential units must place deposits in an interest-bearing New York bank account.

Are 1-to-5 unit buildings in New York required to pay deposit interest?

No. State statute exempts buildings with fewer than 6 units from interest requirements unless the written lease agreement states otherwise.

How much administrative fee can a New York landlord keep?

Under § 7-103(2), the landlord is entitled to retain 1% per year of the deposited security money as administrative expense compensation.

What are the penalties for commingling security deposits in New York?

A landlord who commingles deposit funds with personal money commits conversion under New York law and forfeits the legal right to retain any portion of the deposit.