New Hampshire eviction rules for tenants

Notice for unpaid rent

For unpaid rent the landlord must give you a written Demand for Rent and a written eviction notice of at least 7 days (30 days for properties covered by the federal CARES Act). RSA 540:2, II(a); RSA 540:3, II. The notice must state the reason and tell you of your right to stop the eviction by paying. You can stop a nonpayment case by paying, before the hearing on the merits, all rent due through the date of payment, $15 in liquidated damages, other lawful charges under the lease and, if the case was already filed, the filing fee and sheriff's service costs, in cash, certified check, money order, electronic transfer or a written government promise to pay. You can do this no more than 3 times in 12 months (RSA 540:9; court Eviction Notice form). In most cases the landlord also needs one of the legal grounds ('good cause') listed in RSA 540:2.

Notice for a lease violation

Substantial damage to the unit, behavior by you or your household that adversely affects others' health or safety, or (in some domestic-violence lease terminations) a remaining occupant who is the accused abuser: 7-day eviction notice. Failure to follow a material lease term, or other good cause (including refusing a valid rent increase): 30-day eviction notice. RSA 540:2, II; RSA 540:3, II (court Eviction Notice form NHJB-3041-D, rev. 10/08/2026). Most tenants can be evicted only for these listed reasons.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

Tenant: 30 days' notice that ends on a rent due date (603 Legal Aid). Landlord: a written eviction notice stating good cause; 30 days for 'other good cause' (no-fault) reasons. New since July 1, 2026 (2025 N.H. Laws ch. 263): if your lease was for 12 months or more (or shorter leases were renewed for 12 months or more in total), the landlord may also end the tenancy when the lease term expires, but only with written notice at least 60 days before the lease ends and only if the eviction case is filed within 6 months after the lease expires. Such a 'no-fault termination' cannot be treated as an eviction on rental applications or tenant screening reports, and you can still raise retaliation or discrimination as a defense. RSA 540:2, II(i), VIII. Owner-occupied buildings and some single-family homes may have fewer protections.

Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit

File an Appearance form with the court by the return day printed on the Landlord and Tenant Writ (7 days after the sheriff serves you; it is not the hearing date). Since October 8, 2026 (2026 N.H. Laws ch. 308), you must also file a written Answer (form NHJB-3059-DP) no later than 5 days after the return day, listing all your defenses and counterclaims. If you miss the Appearance, you are in default, and a default rules out any extra time to move. If you appear, a hearing is held within about 10 days. If the landlord wins after a hearing, the writ of possession issues 7 days after the court mails the notice of judgment. The judge may delay your move-out for up to 60 days (up to 75 days in limited cases, e.g., age, disability or limited English, if the landlord would not be harmed), as long as you pay rent weekly in advance. To appeal, file a notice of intent to appeal within 7 days and pay rent as it comes due. RSA 540:13, 540:13-c (court Eviction Notice and Answer forms, rev. 10/08/2026).

Lockouts and utility shutoffs

The landlord may not lock you out, shut off utilities, remove your belongings, enter without permission, or otherwise force you out without a court order. File an RSA 540-A petition at your district court (no lawyer or filing fee needed); you can get a same-day temporary order in an emergency. A violation brings the remedies of the Consumer Protection Act (RSA 358-A:10): your actual damages or $1,000, whichever is more, doubled or tripled if willful or knowing, plus costs and attorney fees; each day the violation continues after a temporary order counts as a separate violation. RSA 540-A:2 to 540-A:4.

Court self-help

The court's eviction self-help page

Law

RSA 540:2, 540:3, 540:9, 540:13, 540:13-c; RSA 540-A:2 to 540-A:4; 2025 N.H. Laws ch. 263; 2026 N.H. Laws ch. 308

You cannot be evicted in retaliation for reporting a code violation to the landlord or a public official, or for exercising other legal rights such as joining a tenants' organization. If an eviction starts within six months after such an action, it is presumed retaliatory unless the landlord shows another good reason (for example, more than one week's rent unpaid). RSA 540:13-a, 540:13-b (as described by 603 Legal Aid).

Notice of a rent increase

If you have no written lease, at least 30 days' written notice of a rent increase or other significant change. During a lease, rent can be raised only if the lease allows it. An increase without proper written notice cannot be enforced, and you cannot be evicted for not paying it. (603 Legal Aid.)

Rent control

No statewide rent control and no limit on the amount of an increase.