Deposit laws by state › New Hampshire
State law · New Hampshire
New Hampshire security deposit law
How long your landlord has to return your deposit, what they can deduct, and what happens if they get it wrong.
Short answer: Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit with any interest due, with a written itemized list of damages (naming each repair, with proof such as receipts or estimates) and of any unpaid rent claimed.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New Hampshire?
- Return deadline
- Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit with any interest due, with a written itemized list of damages (naming each repair, with proof such as receipts or estimates) and of any unpaid rent claimed.N.H. RSA 540-A:7, I
- Itemized list
- The itemized lists are due within the same 30 days.N.H. RSA 540-A:7, I-II
- Forwarding address
- The landlord is not liable if the failure was because the tenant gave no new address. Deposits unclaimed for 6 months after the tenancy ends become the landlord's.N.H. RSA 540-A:8, II
Prefer a full page? Use the security deposit deadline calculator.
What happens if a New Hampshire landlord misses the deadline?
- If the landlord misses it
- New Hampshire's remedy is double damages rather than a stated forfeiture.N.H. RSA 540-A:8
- Penalty
- A landlord who fails to comply is liable for twice the deposit plus interest due, minus any payments made and lawful charges for damage, unpaid rent or the tenant's share of real estate taxes.N.H. RSA 540-A:8, I(b)
What can a New Hampshire landlord deduct from your deposit?
What can be deducted: Repair costs for damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, the tenant's share of real estate tax increases, unpaid rent, and other unpaid lawful lease charges. (N.H. RSA 540-A:7, I-II)
Normal wear and tear: Reasonable wear and tear is excluded. (N.H. RSA 540-A:7, I)
What the itemized list must include: A written itemized list of damages, the nature of each repair, and satisfactory evidence the repair was or will be done, such as receipts for materials and labor estimates. (N.H. RSA 540-A:7, I)
More on common charges: normal wear and tear, cleaning, painting, and a missing itemized list.
Is there a limit on security deposits in New Hampshire?
A landlord may not demand or receive a deposit of more than one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater. (N.H. RSA 540-A:6, I(a))
Deadlines and steps on your side
New Hampshire also sets rules for tenants. Missing one of these can cost you part of your claim, so check them early.
Move-in condition report: The landlord must give a signed deposit receipt telling the tenant they may give the landlord, within 5 days of moving in, a written list of conditions needing repair. (N.H. RSA 540-A:6, I(b)-(c))
Taking a deposit case to small claims court in New Hampshire
Small-claims limit: New Hampshire small claims covers claims of $10,000 or less. (New Hampshire Judicial Branch)
Most deposit disputes never get that far. A clear demand letter, sent by certified mail, often settles them first.
Good to know
- Make sure the landlord has your new address; deposits unclaimed for 6 months after the tenancy ends become the landlord's.
What to do if your New Hampshire landlord kept your deposit
- Pin down your dates. When you moved out, returned the keys, and gave a forwarding address in writing. Compare them with the deadline above.
- Gather your evidence. Move-in and move-out photos, the lease, the landlord's list of deductions, receipts and messages. The case checklist covers what matters.
- Send a demand letter by certified mail. Ask for the money, cite New Hampshire's rules, and give a deadline to pay. What a demand letter does.
- If they still don't pay, consider small claims court. You don't need a lawyer there.
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Sources
These rules come from the same verified table the Demand Letter Companion uses, checked against the sources below on October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the current official text before relying on a date.
- N.H. RSA 540-A:7, 540-A:8: gc.nh.gov
- New Hampshire Judicial Branch: courts.nh.gov
- N.H. RSA 540-A:6, I(a): gc.nh.gov
Other states: see the guides for all 50 states and DC
This page is general legal information, not legal advice. Local ordinances can add rules, and your lease and facts matter. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in New Hampshire.