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Renting in New Hampshire

Your rights as a tenant in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, the security deposit can be up to 1 month of rent. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.

The rules, one by oneFree or low-cost legal help
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Maximum deposit
Up to 1 month of rent
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:6, I(a)
To return your deposit
30 days
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:7, I
Notice for late rent
7 days
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:3, II; §540:2, II(a)

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

What the law says

The rules, one by one

The basic rules for renting in New Hampshire, answered with state law and its citation.

Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.

  1. How much can they charge for a deposit?

    Up to 1 month of rent

    In New Hampshire, a landlord cannot ask for or accept a security deposit of more than 1 month's rent or $100, whichever is greater.

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:6, I(a)
    “A landlord shall not demand or receive any security deposit in an amount or value in excess of one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater.”

    Source: New Hampshire General Court – New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) · Verified on October 24, 2026

  2. When must they return my deposit?

    30 days

    In New Hampshire, the landlord must return your security deposit, and any interest owed, within 30 days after the tenancy ends.

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:7, I
    “Except as provided in RSA 540-A:6, IV(c), a landlord shall return a security deposit to a tenant and pay the interest due, if any, within 30 days from the termination of the tenancy.”

    Source: New Hampshire General Court – New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) · Verified on October 24, 2026

  3. If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?

    7 days

    In New Hampshire, if you do not pay rent after the landlord demands it, a 7-day eviction notice is enough. The same short period also applies to a few other reasons the law names, such as serious damage to the home.

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:3, II; §540:2, II(a)
    “7 days' notice shall be sufficient if the reason for the termination is as set forth in RSA 540:2, II(a), (b), (d), or (h).”

    Source: New Hampshire General Court – New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) · Verified on October 24, 2026

  4. How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?

    30 days

    In New Hampshire, a 30-day eviction notice is enough for any residential rental. In a few cases, such as unpaid rent, 7 days is enough.

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:3, II
    “For all residential tenancies, 30 days' notice shall be sufficient in all cases;”

    Source: New Hampshire General Court – New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) · Verified on October 24, 2026

Protections

Protections the law gives you

We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.

  • Only a court order can remove you

    Yes: state law says so

    In New Hampshire, the landlord cannot take your home or keep you from getting into it, directly or indirectly, without going through a court process.

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:3, II
    “No landlord shall willfully seize, hold, or otherwise directly or indirectly deny a tenant access to and possession of such tenant's rented or leased premises, other than through proper judicial process.”

    New Hampshire General Court – New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA)

  • Protection from retaliation

    Yes: state law says so

    If you do not owe the equivalent of one week's rent or more, you can defend against an eviction case if the landlord brought it in retaliation. This covers reporting housing problems to the landlord or an agency, using your tenant rights in court, or meeting with other tenants.

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:13-a
    “Except in cases in which the tenant owes the landlord the equivalent of one week's rent or more, it shall be a defense to any possessory action, as to residential property, that such possessory action was in retaliation for the tenant:”

    New Hampshire General Court – New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA)

Eviction

How an eviction works in New Hampshire

Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.

Compare with other states

  1. Written demand for rent

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:4
    “Such demand shall be sufficient if made upon the tenant or occupant at any time after the rent becomes due and prior to or simultaneously with the service of such eviction notice.”

    gc.nh.gov

  2. 7-day eviction notice (unpaid rent)

    at least 7 days

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:3, II
    “7 days' notice shall be sufficient if the reason for the termination is as set forth in RSA 540:2, II(a), (b), (d), or (h).”

    gc.nh.gov

  3. Landlord gets the writ of summons from the district court

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:13, I
    “A writ of summons may be issued, returnable before a district court, setting forth in substance that the plaintiff is entitled to the possession of the demanded premises”

    gc.nh.gov

  4. Sheriff serves the writ; the return day is 7 days later

    7 days

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:13, III
    “The writ of summons and the notice provided in paragraph II shall be returnable 7 days from the date of service of the writ by the sheriff.”

    gc.nh.gov

  5. Appearance (by the return day) and answer (5 days later)

    up to 5 days

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:13, II(a)
    “If the tenant wishes to contest the eviction, he or she shall file an appearance in the district court no later than the return day appearing on the writ and file an answer not more than 5 days after the return date stating the defendant's affirmative defenses and/or counterclaims.”

    gc.nh.gov

  6. Hearing

    up to 10 days

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:13, V
    “If the tenant files an appearance, a hearing shall be scheduled to occur within 10 days after such filing”

    gc.nh.gov

  7. Court mails the notice of judgment

    up to 2 days

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:13, V
    “If both the plaintiff and defendant appeared at the hearing on the merits, the court shall mail a notice of judgment to the addresses set forth on the summons as soon as possible, but no later than 2 days after the hearing on the merits.”

    gc.nh.gov

  8. Deadline to file a notice of intent to appeal

    up to 7 days

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:20
    “Any party to an action brought pursuant to this chapter shall, within 7 days of the date of the notice of judgment, file in the district court a notice of intent to appeal to the supreme court.”

    gc.nh.gov

  9. Writ of possession issues

    at least 7 days

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:13, V
    “Seven days after mailing such notice, if the prevailing party was the landlord, then the court shall enter judgment for the landlord and issue the writ of possession forthwith.”

    gc.nh.gov

  10. Sheriff serves the writ and removes the tenant

    What the law says · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:14, I
    “A writ of possession shall authorize the sheriff to remove the defendant from the premises.”

    gc.nh.gov

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a deposit in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a landlord cannot ask for or accept a security deposit of more than 1 month's rent or $100, whichever is greater. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:6, I(a))

When must a deposit be returned in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, the landlord must return your security deposit, and any interest owed, within 30 days after the tenancy ends. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:7, I)

What notice is required for late rent in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, if you do not pay rent after the landlord demands it, a 7-day eviction notice is enough. The same short period also applies to a few other reasons the law names, such as serious damage to the home. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:3, II; §540:2, II(a))

How much notice ends a month-to-month rental in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a 30-day eviction notice is enough for any residential rental. In a few cases, such as unpaid rent, 7 days is enough. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:3, II)

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

Pending

What is left to verify

We have not yet verified these New Hampshire rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.

  • Are there limits on late fees? Not verified yet
  • How much notice before a rent increase? Not verified yet
  • Protection related to immigration status Not verified yet
  • Repair and deduct from the rent Not verified yet