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New York tenant lease bonds.
From $100.

A lease surety bond stands behind your lease — it guarantees the landlord that your rent and obligations will be met, so you can post a bond instead of tying up cash in a security deposit. The penal sum is whatever your lease states; premiums start at $100.

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Guarantees rent and lease obligations to the landlord (the obligee)
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Posted in place of a cash deposit — or in addition to one, if the lease requires it
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A quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, no impact on your score
From $100your exact price at applicationSoft pullnever affects your score2%$100 minimum premium
Trusted by industry leaders
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
How it works

Apply to bonded in one sitting.

Most lease bonds move quickly — a light review, a soft credit pull, and the executed bond to hand your landlord. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your details, the bond amount from your lease, and your landlord’s name — plus the lease number and date if you have them. That is the entire application.

QUICK REVIEW

A soft credit pull

Lease bonds carry a light underwriting check, including a soft credit pull that never affects your score. Most applications clear on the spot; if underwriting needs more detail, you hear back within 48 hours.

SAME DAY

Hand it to your landlord

The executed bond names your landlord as the obligee and states the penal sum from your lease — give it to them in place of (or alongside) the cash deposit your lease calls for.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What a tenant lease bond actually does

A tenant lease bond — also called a lease surety bond — is a three-party guarantee. You (the tenant) are the principal, your landlord is the obligee, and the surety stands behind your promise to perform the lease: pay the rent and meet the obligations the lease spells out.

It works in place of a cash security deposit. Instead of locking up a full deposit, you pay a premium for the bond and hand the landlord a guarantee of the same amount. If you fail to meet the lease and the landlord has a valid claim, the surety pays up to the bond amount — and you reimburse the surety, because a bond is a guarantee, not insurance for the tenant.

The penal sum is whatever your lease states — commonly the security-deposit figure or a stated number of months’ rent. Enter that amount and your exact price appears at the application; premiums start at $100.

How a lease surety bond worksA lease surety bond guarantees the tenant’s performance of the lease to the landlord, who is named as the obligee. The penal sum is set by the lease — often the security deposit or a few months’ rent. A valid claim is paid up to the bond amount; the tenant remains responsible to the surety for what it pays.

You need this bond if you are

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A tenant whose landlord will accept a surety bond in place of a cash security deposit
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Signing a lease that lets you post a bond instead of — or in addition to — a deposit
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Preserving cash rather than tying up a full deposit for the length of the lease
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Asked for a guarantee of rent and lease obligations that names your landlord as the obligee

One application, soft pull only.

Submit the application with your bond amount and your landlord’s name — a light review and a soft credit pull, and the executed bond is ready to hand over.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much does a tenant lease bond cost?Your premium is 2% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The bond amount is whatever your lease states — often the security deposit or a few months’ rent. Your exact price appears at the application.
What does the bond guarantee?It guarantees the landlord — the obligee — that you will perform the lease: pay the rent and meet the obligations the lease spells out. If you fail to and the landlord has a valid claim, the surety pays up to the bond amount, and you reimburse the surety. A bond is a guarantee, not tenant insurance.
Is this instead of a security deposit?Usually, yes — a lease bond lets you post a guarantee instead of locking up a full cash deposit, if your landlord and lease allow it. Some leases require a bond in addition to a deposit. Either way, the bond amount is the figure your lease states.
Do you run a credit check?A lease bond carries a light underwriting check, including a soft credit pull. A soft pull never affects your credit score. Most applications clear quickly; if underwriting needs more detail, you hear back within 48 hours.
What do I need to apply?Your details, the bond amount required by your lease, and your landlord’s (lessor’s) name. The lease number and the date the lease was signed are helpful if you have them, but the bond amount and the landlord’s name are the essentials.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
Related bonds

Other New York bonds.

Lease bond, ready to hand over.

Premiums from $100, soft pull only. Post a guarantee instead of tying up a cash deposit.

Your premiumfrom $100
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