New Hampshire Sublease Agreement

Right to Sublet

In New Hampshire, tenants are required to obtain explicit written permission from their landlord to sublet their rental property. The landlord has the authority to deny a request to sublet, but must do so for lawful and nondiscriminatory reasons. If the original lease stipulates that written permission is necessary for subletting, tenants should utilize a Landlord Consent Form.

Standardized New Hampshire Sublease Agreements

A typical New Hampshire sublease agreement includes several essential components:

• The Names of the Parties: Identifies the Sublessor (original tenant) and the Sublessee (new tenant).
• Rental Unit Location: Specifies the address of the rental unit as per the original lease.
• Term: States the start and end dates of the sublease.
• Rent: Details the amount of rent, payment schedule, and payment method.
• Security Deposit: Indicates the security deposit amount, which is limited by New Hampshire law to $100 or one month’s rent, whichever is greater, unless exempt.
• Return of Security Deposit: Mandates that landlords return any unused portion of the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant vacates.
• Lead-Based Paint Notice: Requires a written notice if the property was built before 1978.
• Master Lease Inclusion: Attaches a copy of the Master Lease and notes any exceptions.
• General Conditions: States that the sublease contains all agreements and can only be modified in writing.
• Disputes: Describes how disputes will be resolved, potentially through mediation or binding arbitration.
• Liability: Clarifies that the Sublessee is liable for damages, while the Sublessor is responsible for damages affecting the landlord as per the original lease.
• Authorized Occupants: Lists who is allowed to live in the rental unit and any policies on short-term guests.
• Inventory of Included Items: Details items included in the sublease, such as furniture or appliances.
• Utilities: Specifies which utilities are paid by the Sublessor and which by the Sublessee.
• Parking Policy: Describes parking arrangements for the Sublessee and their guests.
• Landlord’s Consent: Outlines how the landlord’s permission is obtained, if not already included in the Master Lease.
• Signature: Requires signatures and dates from the Sublessor, Sublessee, and any Co-Sublessors or Co-Sublessees.

Tax Implications of a Sublease

In New Hampshire, a sublessor may be subject to a 9% state rental tax if they sublet a property for less than 185 days. Additionally, the Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax applies to rentals of one or more rooms in a residential unit for a duration of 185 days or less, at a rate of 8.5%.

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