Demand Letter in New York

A demand letter asks someone to pay or fix a problem before you go to small claims court. Many judges expect one, and it is useful evidence. Your state's small claims limit and fee are shown below.

What New York law says

Small claims limit	$10,000 in New York City Civil Court; $5,000 in City Courts outside NYC and in the Nassau and Suffolk District Courts; $3,000 in Town and Village Justice Courts. Interest and costs are not counted. Claims are for money only. In NYC, the defendant must live, have a business office or be regularly employed in the city; a tenant may also sue the landlord there about a NYC rental. § 1801 last revised July 7, 2023. Other courts: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UCT/1801 ; https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UDC/1801 ; https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UJC/1801 Source: NYC Civil Ct. Act § 1801; Uniform City Ct. Act § 1801; Uniform District Ct. Act § 1801; Uniform Justice Ct. Act § 1801
Filing fee	NYC Civil Court and City Courts: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less and $20 for claims over $1,000. Town and Village Justice Courts: $10 and $15. A defendant's counterclaim costs $5 ($3 in justice courts) plus mailing costs. Commercial claims cost $25 plus mailing costs. City Courts: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UCT/1803 ; Justice Courts: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UJC/1803 Source: NYC Civil Ct. Act § 1803; Uniform City Ct. Act § 1803; Uniform Justice Ct. Act § 1803; NYC Civil Ct. Act § 1803-A

Small claims limit

$10,000 in New York City Civil Court; $5,000 in City Courts outside NYC and in the Nassau and Suffolk District Courts; $3,000 in Town and Village Justice Courts. Interest and costs are not counted. Claims are for money only.

In NYC, the defendant must live, have a business office or be regularly employed in the city; a tenant may also sue the landlord there about a NYC rental. § 1801 last revised July 7, 2023. Other courts: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UCT/1801 ; https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UDC/1801 ; https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UJC/1801

Source: NYC Civil Ct. Act § 1801; Uniform City Ct. Act § 1801; Uniform District Ct. Act § 1801; Uniform Justice Ct. Act § 1801

Filing fee

NYC Civil Court and City Courts: $15 for claims of $1,000 or less and $20 for claims over $1,000. Town and Village Justice Courts: $10 and $15. A defendant's counterclaim costs $5 ($3 in justice courts) plus mailing costs. Commercial claims cost $25 plus mailing costs.

City Courts: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UCT/1803 ; Justice Courts: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/UJC/1803

Source: NYC Civil Ct. Act § 1803; Uniform City Ct. Act § 1803; Uniform Justice Ct. Act § 1803; NYC Civil Ct. Act § 1803-A

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[today's date]

To: [person or business name], [their address]

From: [your name], [your address]

This letter is a formal demand for $[amount demanded] for [what happened, with dates].

[Short list of facts and attached documents: contract, receipts, photos, messages.]

Please pay this amount by [payment deadline] by [payment method].

If I do not receive payment by then, I intend to file a claim in [court name] without further notice.

[your name] [phone or email]

Demand Letter for other states · New York tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.