Let them know the standard procedure and that you are planning to follow it.

Every state has different rules / procedures, but in some, once a property is sold at a tax deed sale, that is it.

But I completely expect that NY state has a similar procedure. 

In fact it can help a lot to have a written checklist and procedure you always follow, in case you are ever accused of some kind of discrimination.

I had a friend at the same time I was getting my real estate license getting his massage therapy license, and to give someone a massage he had to have more state required class time then I did!

I'm NOT saying it doesn't happen, but from my personal experience with AM's, this was the procedure they were required to follow from the "powers that be" within their organization.

If a claim is to be made, the landlord has 30 days to send a detailed list of claims against the deposit by certified mail to the tenants forwarding address or last known address.The tenant then has 15 days to respond in writing if they disagree with the claims at which time the procedure may be negotiated or move to a court, normally the landlord institutes a suit with legal fees.If the tenant does not give a forwarding address then the legal address stipulated as such in the lease is used.

Be clearer on terms/procedures?

Summary ejectment procedures must now be handled in district court rather than magistrate court necessitating hiring an attorney to evict a lease option tenant for breach.

If you're trying to actually ge the property, learn the redemption/auction procedures.