My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: New York
I am subletting a room in my apartment and I had a verbal agreement with someone to become my roommate on a month-to-month basis. The new roommate provided a security deposit equal to one-month rent, and I provided a receipt stating a specific move-in date. They backed out two weeks before the move-in date because of work relocation. They are claiming that they are entitle to the deposit back because there was no written or verbal acknowledgement that if they couldn't take the room, I would keep the deposit. After searching, I have found someone to move in and take their place. Do I have a right to keep the deposit?

