Landlord keeps losing check, refuses to give receipt.

[ParkSloper]

For the past two months my landlord, which is actually a property management agency, has lost my rent check. Yesterday I received a call stating I owed the back rent. I looked through my checkbook and found the imprints (not sure what the actual term is) of said checks and brought them over along with a new check for the full amount. I told them what had happened and explained that this time I wanted a receipt. They refused to give me one and said the only thing they could provide was a photocopy of the new check. I don't understand how this helps anything. When they inevitably "lose" this check as well, all I'll have is a photocopy that I could've made myself at any given moment.

Is there anything at all I can do?

[TenantNet]

New York State Real Property Law
http://tenant.net/Other_Laws/RPL/rpl07.html


Sec. 235-e. Duty of landlord to provide written receipt.

(a) Upon the receipt of rent for residential premises in the
form of cash or any instrument other than the personal check
of the tenant, it shall be the duty of the landlord to
provide the payor with a written receipt containing the
following:

1. The date;

2. The amount;

3. The identity of the premises and period for which paid;
and

4. The signature and title of the person receiving the
rent.

(b) Where a tenant, in writing, requests that a landlord provide
a receipt for rent paid by personal check, it shall be the
duty of the landlord to provide the payor with the receipt
described in subdivision (a) of this Section for each such
request made in writing.