The resources on this site are offered to tenants and landlords in the hope of avoiding difficult rental housing situations.
This Model Residential Lease (PDF, 211K) shows the type of language and issues covered in a rental agreement (from the NY State Consumer Protection Board, 2007).
The New York State Tenant's Rights Guide is a 36-page document (PDF, 777K) that lists and explains the laws that both tenants and landlords need to know, on topics including: leases, rent payments, security deposits, repairs, tenant safety, utilities, apartment brokers, and more. It includes a list of contact information that can provide additional help (produced by the NY State Attorney General's Office, 2008).
Complaints about the return of Rent Security Deposits can be filed with the NYS Office of the Attorney General if all attempts to resolve the dispute by the individuals involved have failed.
How to Make an Effective Complaint for Rental Issues
In Otsego County the Building Department can be reached at 607.547.6484.
197 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Last updated August 25, 2020