Chemung County, New York: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Small Claims (City / District / Town or Village court) - Chemung County in Elmira. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claim limit varies by court. New York return time: 14 days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,050. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Small Claims (City / District / Town or Village court) - Chemung County |
|---|---|
| City | Elmira |
| Statewide filing fee | Current court fee schedule |
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (New York City courts only) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 6 years |
| Deposit statute | N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §7-108 (as amended by HSTPA 2019) |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $10,000 (New York City courts only).
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 14 days | tenant vacates the premises (move-out) |
New York return rule: 14 days. Check the dates you entered above.
Court listed for this county: Small Claims (City / District / Town or Village court) - Chemung County. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Chemung County.
- The New York business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. New York Department of State, Division of Corporations
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Check the New York filing procedure before you go.
Service methods: certified mail by clerk.
Procedure source (medium confidence): Small claims shall be commenced upon the payment by the claimant of a filing fee of fifteen dollars for claims in the amount of one thousand dollars or less and twenty dollars for claims in the amount of more than one thousand dollars
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Chemung County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $750 | $750 | $1,500 | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 2 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $2,100 | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 3 | $1,161 | $1,161 | $2,322 | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
| 4 | $1,345 | $1,345 | $2,690 | Check the applicable limit and remedy |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Chemung County compare with other New York counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,050: rank 28 of 62 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 30.2% of households rent in Chemung County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Sullivan County | $1,098 |
| Washington County | $1,054 |
| Chemung County | $1,050 |
| Clinton County | $1,050 |
| Erie County | $1,046 |
| Hamilton County | $1,030 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 62 of 65 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Chemung County
- Elmira
- Elmira Heights
- Horseheads
- Millport
- Wellsburg
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Legal Assistance of Western New York: Free civil legal assistance for eligible residents, including eviction prevention; phone is the Geneva office. Use the county directory to contact other regional offices.
- Legal Services NYC: Free housing legal help for eligible tenants in New York City's five boroughs, including eviction, repairs, harassment and rent overcharges. Geographic scope is New York City; statewide is the required fallback because this source lists boroughs, not counties.
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Chemung County?
The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page
Where do I file a deposit claim in Chemung County?
Small Claims (City / District / Town or Village court) - Chemung County is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.