New Hampshire Eviction

Types of New Hampshire Eviction Notices

There are several types of eviction notices that landlords can issue, each corresponding to specific grounds for eviction:

1. 7-Day Notice to Quit

• Grounds: Non-payment of rent.
• Details: This notice can be served the day after rent is due, with no grace period. The tenant must pay all past due rent or vacate within seven (7) calendar days.
• Legal Citation: New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 540:2 II(a) & § 540:3 I.

2. 30-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate

• Grounds: Curable lease violations (e.g., health and safety issues, interference with neighbors).
• Details: The tenant has thirty (30) calendar days to correct the violation or vacate the property.
• Legal Citation: New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 540:2 II(b) to (f) & § 540:3 II.

3. 7-Day Notice to Vacate

• Grounds: Incurable lease violations (e.g., substantial property damage, threats to health and safety).
• Details: The tenant must vacate within seven (7) calendar days of receiving the notice.
• Legal Citation: New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 540:2 II(b) & § 540:3 II.

4. 30-Day Notice to Quit

• Grounds: Refusal to sign lease amendments or for economic/business reasons.
• Details: The tenant must vacate within thirty (30) calendar days.
• Legal Citation: New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 540:3 II.

5. 30-Day Notice to Vacate

• Grounds: Termination of periodic tenancy or expired lease.
• Details: The tenant must receive notice at least thirty (30) calendar days before the termination date.
• Legal Citation: New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 540:3 II.

How to Write an Eviction Notice in New Hampshire

To ensure legal compliance, an eviction notice should include the following elements:

1. Tenant Information: Full name and address of the tenant.
2. Lease Violation Details: Specific violation and any balance due.
3. Termination Date: Clearly state the date by which the tenant must vacate.
4. Landlord Information: Print name and signature of the landlord, including the landlord’s address.
5. Delivery Method: Note the date and method of delivery, along with printed name and signature.

How to Serve an Eviction Notice in New Hampshire

Landlords may deliver eviction notices using the following methods:

1. Hand Delivery: Directly to the tenant.
2. Leaving Notice: At the tenant’s last known residence.

Eviction Process in New Hampshire

Step 1: Serve the Eviction Notice

The landlord must provide a written notice to the tenant, specifying the reason for eviction and the required notice period.

Step 2: File for Eviction

If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord can file a Landlord and Tenant Writ with the local District Court. The necessary forms include:

• Landlord and Tenant Writ
• Affidavit of Damages and Statement of Claim
• Affidavit of Ownership
• Affidavit of Military Service

Step 3: Court Hearing

Both the landlord and tenant can present their cases in court. The judge will determine if the eviction can proceed.

Step 4: Obtain Writ of Possession

If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, a Writ of Possession will be issued. This document allows the landlord to seek assistance from law enforcement to remove the tenant if they do not vacate voluntarily.

Important Legal Citations

• New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 540:1 through 540-A:4
• New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 540:2 II(a) & (b) through (f)
• New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 540:3

Statutes

• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:1-a – Definitions
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:5(I) – Definitions
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:5 – Definitions
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(I)(a) – Procedure
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(I)(b) – Procedure
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(IV) – Procedure
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6 (II)(a) and (IV)(a) – Procedure
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(IV)(b) – Procedure
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:6(I)(c) – Procedure
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:7(I) – Return of Security Deposit
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:7(II) – Return of Security Deposit
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:8 – Remedies
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:9 – Payment after notice
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:1 – Tenancies, nature of
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:2(IV) – Termination of tenancy
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:2(VII) – Termination of tenancy
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:2(VII)(a) – Termination of tenancy
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:2(VII)(b) – Termination of tenancy
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:3(II) – Eviction Notice
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(I) – Prohibition on Utility Shut-offs
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(V) – Required Notice Before Entry
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(II) – Prohibition on Lockouts
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(IV) – Emergency Entry Allowed without Notice
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(V-a) – Infestations & Pest Treatment
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:3(VII) – Abandonment of Personal Property
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A:2 – General Prohibition
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:13 – Writ; Service; Discovery; Record; Default
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:13-a – Defense to retaliation
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:13-b – Evidence of Intent to Retaliate
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540:13-d – Defenses to Violations of Fitness
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 503:1 – Small Claim Defined
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 508:4 – Personal actions
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 358-A:10 – Private actions
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 48-A:14 – Minimum Standards Established
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 638:4(III) – Issuing bad checks
• N.H. Rev. Stat. § 638:4(IV) – Issuing bad checks