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New Hampshire · NH

New Hampshire Landlord-Tenant Laws 2026

Security deposit limits, eviction notice requirements, rent increase rules, and every compliance deadline for New Hampshire landlords. 13 cities covered.

Based on New Hampshire state statutes. Updated August 2026.

New Hampshire Landlord Law Summary

In New Hampshire, landlords must return security deposits within 30 days, provide 7-day eviction notice for nonpayment, and do not cap rent increases. No just cause eviction requirement.

New Hampshire Landlord Rules at a Glance

Key compliance requirements every New Hampshire landlord must follow.

Rule	Requirement
Security Deposit Cap	1 month’s rent or $100 (whichever is greater)
Deposit Return Deadline	30 days
Eviction Notice (Nonpayment)	7 days written notice
Rent Cap	No statewide cap
Entry Notice	Adequate notice at reasonable times
Late Fee Cap	No statutory cap
Grace Period	15 days (late fee cannot be charged until rent is 15 days overdue)
Just Cause Eviction	Not required

What Happens If You Violate New Hampshire Landlord-Tenant Law

Security deposit violation: Tenant may recover the deposit amount for wrongful withholding.

Late deposit return: Miss the 30-day deadline and tenants can sue for up to 2x the withheld amount.
Improper eviction notice: Wrong notice period or procedure = case dismissed. You restart from zero and owe additional court costs.
Illegal entry: Entering without 24-hour notice = harassment claim. Tenants can terminate the lease and sue for damages.
Fair housing violation: First offense: $16,000+ federal fine. Repeat: $65,000+. Plus actual damages, attorney fees, and potential criminal penalties.

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Deposit deadlines, eviction notice periods, rent cap calculations — monitored automatically across all 13 New Hampshire cities.

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New Hampshire Landlord-Tenant Statutes

The laws that govern residential rentals in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire RSA 540 — Eviction

N.H. Rev. Stat. §540:1 et seq.

Governs eviction procedures in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire RSA 540-A — Prohibited Practices

N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:1 et seq.

Prohibits retaliatory eviction, self-help eviction, and certain landlord practices.

New Hampshire Landlord Law Topics

Explore detailed rules by topic for any New Hampshire city.

Security Deposit Laws

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Eviction Process & Notice Requirements

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Rent Increase Laws

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Landlord Entry & Access Rules

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Maintenance & Habitability Standards

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Late Fee Limits

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Lease Termination & Renewal

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Fair Housing Protections

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Tenant Screening Rules

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Required Landlord Disclosures

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Rent Control

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Property Registration Requirements

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Top 10 New Hampshire Cities — Landlord Law Coverage

The largest New Hampshire cities by population, with median rent and deposit cap data.

City	Population	Median 2BR Rent	Max Deposit
Manchester	115,474	$2,127/mo	$2,127
Nashua	91,003	$2,127/mo	$2,127
Concord	44,629	$1,974/mo	$1,974
Rochester	33,519	$2,194/mo	$2,194
Dover	33,485	$2,194/mo	$2,194
Keene	22,917	$1,926/mo	$1,926
Portsmouth	22,733	$2,270/mo	$2,270
Laconia	17,142	$1,800/mo	$1,800
Lebanon	15,342	$1,909/mo	$1,909
Claremont	13,111	$1,747/mo	$1,747

All 13 New Hampshire Cities

Click any city to view its specific landlord-tenant laws, deadlines, and free calculators.

Manchester 115,474 Nashua 91,003 Concord 44,629 Rochester 33,519 Dover 33,485 Keene 22,917 Portsmouth 22,733 Laconia 17,142 Lebanon 15,342 Claremont 13,111 Somersworth 12,192 Berlin 9,459 Franklin 8,790

Download Free New Hampshire Landlord Compliance Checklist

Deposit deadlines, notice requirements, required disclosures — everything in one page.

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Frequently Asked Questions — New Hampshire Landlord Laws

What is the security deposit limit in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire limits deposits to 1 month’s rent or $100, whichever is greater. This is one of the few states with a minimum deposit amount. The deposit must be returned within 30 days.

Does New Hampshire have a grace period for rent?

Yes. Landlords cannot charge late fees until rent is 15 days overdue. This gives tenants significant time before late penalties apply.

Does New Hampshire have rent control?

No. New Hampshire preempts local rent control and has no statewide cap on rent increases.

Compliance tracking for your New Hampshire properties

LeaseBase monitors New Hampshire landlord-tenant law changes, tracks deadlines, and alerts you before penalties apply — across every city in your portfolio.

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How we researched this page: This guide covers all New Hampshire landlord-tenant statutes, verified against official government sources. Rent data comes from HUD Fair Market Rents (FY2026). Last updated: August 2026.

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Reviewed by Rachid Abadli

Founder & CEO, LeaseBase · Sacramento landlord · Self-managing since 2019

LeaseBase is a property management platform — not a law firm. Consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.