New York § 209 - 209Certain sales after eighteen months

Full text of New York New York Consolidated Laws § 209 — 209Certain sales after eighteen months, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 209. 209Certain sales after eighteen months

§ 209. Certain sales after eighteen months. Any keeper of a hotel, motel, apartment hotel, inn, boarding-house, rooming-house or lodging-house, except an immigrant lodging-house, whose lien for fare, lodging, accommodation or board upon any goods, baggage or other chattel property, shall not have been paid for a period of eighteen months, may sell such property at public auction for cash to the highest bidder upon mailing a notice inclosed in a securely closed postpaid wrapper, directed to the person who left such property with such keeper, at the post office of the ctiy, town or village where such hotel, motel, apartment hotel, inn, boarding-house, rooming-house or lodging-house is situated, such notice to contain a statement of the time and place when and where such goods, baggage or other chattel property will be sold and such notice shall be mailed at least fifteen days before such sale shall take place. Such keeper shall, out of the proceeds of such sale, retain the amount of his lien and the expense of selling such property, and, if there be any surplus, he shall, within ten days after such sale, upon demand, pay over such surplus to the person whose property was sold. In case such surplus shall not be demanded and paid as aforesaid, within said ten days, then within five days thereafter, such keeper shall pay such surplus to the treasurer of the county or chamberlain or other chief fiscal officer of the city in which such sale took place, and shall, at the same time, file with said treasurer, chamberlain or other chief fiscal officer a statement in writing containing the name of the person whose property was sold, the price at which it was sold, the date of such sale and by whom sold. Such surplus shall be kept and disposed of in the manner provided in section two hundred and eight of this chapter. Nothing contained in this article shall preclude any other remedy now existing for the enforcement and satisfaction of a lien of the keeper of a hotel, motel, apartment hotel, inn, boarding-house, rooming-house or lodging-house, except an immigrant lodging-house, nor bar his right to recover for so much of the debt as shall not be paid through such sale.

Source: official New York text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About New York § 209

What does New York Consolidated Laws § 209 cover?

Section 209 ("209Certain sales after eighteen months") is part of the New York Consolidated Laws, the codified statutory law of New York. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New York § 209?

A common citation format is "New York Consolidated Laws § 209" (New York). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New York law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New York official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New York attorney.

How does New York § 209 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New York can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New York.