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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

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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.

These penalties are why many New Hampshire landlords hire property managers. Compare property management fees by state to see if it makes sense for your portfolio.

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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.

Top 13 New Hampshire Cities — Landlord Law Coverage

The largest New Hampshire cities by population, with median rent and deposit cap data. Click any city for detailed landlord-tenant law coverage.

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
Somersworth 12,192 $2,194/mo $2,194
Berlin 9,459 $1,287/mo $1,287
Franklin 8,790 $1,974/mo $1,974

Download Free New Hampshire Landlord Compliance Checklist

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

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New Hampshire landlords must track 30-day deposit deadlines and 7-day eviction notice requirements.

The right property management software automates every compliance deadline — so a missed notice never costs you thousands.

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Frequently Asked Questions — New Hampshire Landlord Laws

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

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