New Hampshire

New Hampshire Landlord Tenant Key Rules

Official New Hampshire Forms:

 

Security Deposit

TOPIC	RULE
Security Deposit Maximum:	1x monthly rent N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(I)(a)
Security Deposit Interest:	If deposit is held for a minimum of 1 year, interest must be paid to the tenant at the rate set by the bank or institution. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(IV)
Separate Security Deposit Bank Account:	Yes N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(II)(a)
Non-refundable fees:	No statute
Pet Deposits and Additional Fees:	No statute
Deadline for Returning Security Deposit:	30 days N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:7(I)
Permitted Uses of the Deposit:	Damages beyond regular wear and tear N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:7(I)
Security Deposit can be Withheld:	Yes
Require Written Description/Itemized List of Damages and Charges:	Yes N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:7(I)
Receipt of Security Deposit:	Landlord must give receipt with security deposit amount and the place where it’s being held. If the payment is with a check then no receipt is required. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(I)(b)(c)
Record Keeping of Deposit Withholdings:	No statute
Failure to Comply:	Landlord may be liable for 2x the security deposit amount plus any interest owed. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:8

Lease, Rent & Fees

TOPIC	RULE
Rent is Due:	At the beginning of the month or term if less than a month unless otherwise stated in the rental agreement.
Payment Methods:	No statute
Rent Increase Notice:	30-day notice N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:2(IV)
Late Fees:	No statute. However, it’s common practice to state any late fees in the lease agreement.
Application Fees:	Landlord must disclose the amount of fee for application costs such as credit and criminal background checks. If the prospective tenant is not accepted, the fee shall be returned within 30 days. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(VIII)
Prepaid Rent:	No statute
Returned Check Fees:	Issuer must pay amount of check plus any fees associated within 14 days of receiving notice that the check was denied. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 638:4
Tenant Allowed to Withhold Rent for Failure to Provide Essential Services (Water, Heat, etc.):	No statute regarding withholding rent. However, tenant can provide notice of breach and the landlord has 14 days to remedy. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:13-d
Tenant Allowed to Repair and Deduct Rent:	No statute
Self-Help Evictions:	Not allowed N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(I)
Landlord Allowed to Recover Court and Attorney’s Fees:	Plaintiffs can recover actual damages or $1000, whichever is greater plus any court costs and attorney fees. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 358-A:10
Landlord Must Make a Reasonable Attempt to Mitigate Damages to Lessee, including an Attempt to Re-rent:	No statute

Notices and Entry

TOPIC	RULE
Notice to Terminate Tenancy:	No specific statute for fixed tenancies because they simply finished on the end date.
Notice to Terminate a Periodic Lease – Week-to-week:	30-day notice. If the termination is due to tenant’s noncompliance then 7-day notice suffices. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:3
Notice to Terminate a Periodic Lease – Month-to-Month:	30-day notice. If the termination is due to tenant’s noncompliance then 7-day notice suffices. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:3
Notice to Terminate Lease due to Sale of Property:	No specific statute due to sale of property. 30-day notice is the standard. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:3
Notice of date/time of Move-Out Inspection:	No statute
Notice of Termination for Nonpayment:	7-day notice N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:3
Notice for Lease Violation:	30-day notice N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:3
Required Notice before Entry:	Yes N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(V-b)(b)
Entry Allowed with Notice for Maintenance and Repairs:	Yes N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(V)
Emergency Entry Allowed without Notice:	Yes N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(IV)(IV-a)
Entry Allowed During Tenant’s Extended Absence:	No statute
Entry Allowed with Notice for Showing the Property:	Yes N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(V)
Notice to Tenants for Pesticide Use:	48-hour notice N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(V-b)(b)
Lockouts Allowed:	Not allowed N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(I)
Utility Shut-offs Allowed:	Not allowed N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(I)
Electronic Notices Allowed:	No statute

Disclosures

• Name and Addresses: Landlord must disclose contact info for owner and agent. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:1)
• Copy of the Lease: Provide a copy of the lease. (Standard practice)
• Domestic Violence Situations: Tenants may end lease early. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:2 VII)

Duties

Landlord’s Duties

• Compliance: Must meet health and housing codes. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 48-A:14)
• Repairs: Make necessary repairs. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 48-A:14)
• Common Areas: Keep clean and safe. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 48-A:14)
• Maintenance: Ensure functioning systems. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 48-A:14)
• Garbage: Provide for removal. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 48-A:14)

Tenant’s Duties

• Cleanliness: Maintain cleanliness. (Common law)
• Trash: Dispose of properly. (Common law)
• Plumbing: Use correctly. (Common law)
• Appliances: Use reasonably. (Common law)
• Damage: Avoid damage. (Common law)
• Quiet Enjoyment: Respect neighbors. (Common law)
• Subleasing: Subject to lease. (Lease-specific)
• Retaliation: Prohibited. (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:13-a)
• Lead Disclosure: Required by federal law.