I paid 2 months security deposit for 1year lease?

Question

I got an 1br apt on May 1st 2006 for 1 year lease contract.

I moved in at April 15th 2006 though contract started by May 1st 2006 because the landlord wanted extra money for half of the rent of April, so I paid half rent and also 2 months security deposit which doesn't include any rent, purely 100% security deposit, before I moved in.

However, I'd like to renew my lease in coming May and wondering if it's possible to change the amount of security deposit at the time renewing my lease.

If the current lease will be expired and will have a new one, will the 2 mo deposit take over to the next lease? Or can I have a completely new, another contract(lease) meaning I'll get the 2 month security deposit back first then I pay her 1 month security deposit with a new lease?

I also wonder if there's any law about the amount of security deposit in NY? Or can a landlord ask a tenant for security deposit as much as she want?

I'd really appreciate if you can answer this.Thanks in advanc

I've always been paying my rent at least 5 days prior to the month(i.e. I paid my rent for Feb on Jan 25th) which I will keep doing in that way. I just don't want her hold my 2 month despoit which is huge amount of money but I just don't know if I have any right or something to change it.

And it is NOT last month rent. On the lease(paper) I got in 2006, it says 2 months security deposit.

Answer 1

Most landlords will tell you that the security deposit stays with the landlord until you move out of the apartment. So even if you decide to re-negotiate the lease most likely you are out of luck on the security deposit.
As far as standard deposit amounts there is usually a maximum they can collect (I believe it is 3 times the monthly rent) however it can be different for each person depending on credit history and other qualifying factors.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It's entirely up to the landlord how much they want to charge you for security deposit, and how many months advance rent they need to have up front.

It's entirely up to the lessee (you) how much you pay them. If they are too ridiculous, they won't be able to rent the apartment - and if they have been having trouble filling it, you might be able to talk them down, provided you can show them proof that you have a history of being responsible, paying your rent, and not destroying the places you live in.

As far as your current situation, you have sort of been forced into setting up a savings account (though you aren't getting any interest) which I would probably leave alone until you move out just in case the woman hits you with excessive cleaning fees, etc - and then you will have plenty of cash to either put towards another apartment security deposit (or preferably towards a downpayment on a house - if feasible).

Good luck.

Answer 3

I don't know about specific laws in the NY area but I do know that once your lease ends, you are entitled to all of your security deposit back minus any damages the landlord decides to charge you for. At that point you are free to negotiate a new lease with that landlord and possibly change the amount of security deposit required. If I were you I would just contact your landlord and speak with him about the situation and see what he would like to do once your lease expires.

Answer 4

You can do that if the landlord will do it. If you have paid on time every month and werent a pain in the butt then you have a good chance -talk with the landlord and say you feel you have a good payment record and think 2 months deposit is unnecessary they may give you one month back . The other will stay with the apartment until you move out.

Answer 5

Never heard of 2 months security deposit before, Usually its first and last months rent and the last months counting as security deposit. heres a site to help you..

Answer 6

i live in ga, but when i had renewed my lease my security deposit carried over.