2006 New York Code - Lands Held Under Written Contract.

 
    §  211.  Lands  held  under  written  contract.  Where lands have been
  escheated to the state and the person  last  seized  was  a  citizen  or
  capable  of  taking  and  holding  real  property the commissioner shall
  fulfill any contract made by such person or by any person from whom  his
  title  is  derived, in respect to the sale of such lands, so far only as
  to convey the right and title of the state, pursuant to  such  contract,
  without  any  covenants  of  warranty  or otherwise, and shall allow all
  payment which may have been made on such contracts.  If any part of such
  escheated land has been  occupied  under  a  verbal  agreement  for  the
  purchase  thereof,  and  the  occupants  have made valuable improvements
  thereon, such agreement shall be as valid and effectual as if it were in
  writing.