[US-NY] NYC sublet: Tenant withholding my security deposit and wants to keep $150 for utility bills I’ve never seen
I’ve been subletting a room in NYC for about four years from the tenant on the lease. She is not the landlord, and to my knowledge the sublet was never authorized by the actual landlord/building management. I paid a $950 security deposit when I moved in and have always paid my rent and utility share on time.
I’m leaving this week and recently asked about getting my deposit back. Since then, things have gotten strange. She originally told me I would only get half when I leave and the rest later, and mentioned that the incoming roommate had only paid half of their deposit. That confused me because I paid my full deposit years ago and don’t understand why my refund would depend on what a new roommate pays.
She has since changed the amount several times and is now saying she can give me $800 after a walkthrough and keep the other $150 for August utilities. The problem is that the August bills haven’t even arrived yet, so she doesn’t know what the actual amount will be. In four years, I have also never been shown an actual utility bill, even after asking to see one. I’ve simply paid whatever amount she told me I owed.
There are no unpaid rent payments and I’ve cleaned, painted, and almost completely cleared the room. I’m documenting the condition with photos and video before the walkthrough.
I’m leaving the country at the end of the week, so I’m trying to get this resolved before I go. Should I get the actual landlord/building management involved if she refuses to return the deposit or keeps withholding money without showing me the bills? What are my rights here?
Has anyone in NYC dealt with something similar involving a sublease? What would you do in this situation?