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I moved out of my Brooklyn apartment three months ago, and my landlord still hasn’t returned my security deposit. I left the place in great shape—cleaned everything, no damage beyond normal wear and tear. I’ve tried calling and emailing, but they keep brushing me off, saying they’re “waiting for paperwork to clear.” It’s starting to feel like they’re stalling, and I’m not sure what to do next.

I know NYC landlords can be tricky, but this is frustrating because it’s a significant amount of money. I even mentioned using the deposit toward my next place because I got a bit of extra cash from a recent lucky break, but that’s not a long-term solution. Has anyone else dealt with a landlord dragging their feet on security deposits? Should I file a complaint with the city, take legal action, or is there another way to handle this? I don’t want to burn bridges, but I also want my money back!