My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: New York.
I rented a room with no lease and transferred my monthly rent to the prime tenant. The boyfriend of the prime tenant also lived with us - I don't believe he's on the lease. I have never had contact with the landlord. After I moved out, the prime tenant and her boyfriend never returned my deposit. When I texted them about it, they both blocked my number. We had written agreements about the security deposit, rent, confirmation of their home address and her bank info. This was done in a Facebook chat with the male roommate and a Whatsapp group chat with both him and the prime tenant.
What are my rights as a subtenant? I am also a non-US citizen and here on a J-1 student visa.
Before I take them to small court claim, what steps should I take to get my deposit back?

