Breaking a Lease in New Hampshire
New Hampshire rules on breaking a lease for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Yes (since Jan. 1, 2025). A tenant may end the lease if, within the most recent 150 days, the tenant or a household member at the premises was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking (or a new event related to past abuse makes the victim fear for their safety), and the… RSA 540:11-b (2024 ch. 9)
The rules in New Hampshire
| Ending a lease: domestic violence | Yes (since Jan. 1, 2025). A tenant may end the lease if, within the most recent 150 days, the tenant or a household member at the premises was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking (or a new event related to past abuse makes the victim fear for their safety), and the victim gives the landlord written verification of one of: a protective order; filing for a protective order; a report to law enforcement; a statement from a law enforcement official, victim's advocate, attorney or health care provider; or a signed circuit-court self-certification form. The tenant must move out within 30 days of notice (or another agreed date) and owes rent only through the termination date or move-out date, whichever is later. The deposit stays applied until all tenants leave. The landlord must keep the verification confidential. Separately, on restricted property a landlord may not terminate a tenancy solely because a tenant or household member is a DV victim who provides similar verification (RSA 540:2, VII, https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LV/540/540-2.htm). Source: RSA 540:11-b (2024 ch. 9) |
|---|---|
| Ending a lease: military, medical, death | Military: a tenant may end a lease if called to active duty as a member of the armed services reserve or National Guard, or, if on active duty, reassigned out of state. Notice of termination must be given within 7 days of receiving notice of the call-up or reassignment, by written notice under SCRA section 305. No state statute was found for medical/disability, senior, or tenant-death termination. Medical/senior/death absence based on RSA ch. 540 and 540-A only. Source: RSA 540:11-a |
Related questions
- Can I break my lease because of domestic violence?
- Can I break my lease for military orders, medical reasons or a death?
New Hampshire vs. neighboring states
| State | Ending a lease: domestic violence | Ending a lease: military, medical, death |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | Yes (since Jan. 1, 2025). A tenant may end the lease if, within the most recent 150 days, the tenant or a household member at the premises was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking (or a new event related to past abuse makes the victim fear for their safety), and the victim gives the landlord written verification of one of: a protective order; filing for a protective order; a report to law enforcement; a statement from a law enforcement official, victim's advocate, attorney or health care provider; or a signed circuit-court self-certification form. The tenant must move out within 30 days of notice (or another agreed date) and owes rent only through the termination date or move-out date, whichever is later. The deposit stays applied until all tenants leave. The landlord must keep the verification confidential. RSA 540:11-b (2024 ch. 9) | Military: a tenant may end a lease if called to active duty as a member of the armed services reserve or National Guard, or, if on active duty, reassigned out of state. Notice of termination must be given within 7 days of receiving notice of the call-up or reassignment, by written notice under SCRA section 305. No state statute was found for medical/disability, senior, or tenant-death termination. RSA 540:11-a |
| Maine | Applies to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, and to tenants sexually harassed by the landlord or the landlord's agent. Notice: 7 days' written notice for a tenancy at will or a lease shorter than one year; 30 days' written notice for a lease of one year or more. Documentation naming the perpetrator is required, such as a signed statement from an advocate, health care provider or law enforcement officer, a protection order or complaint, a police report, or a criminal complaint or conviction. Liability: the victim owes no rent after the later of the date the notice expires or the date the victim moves out. Prepaid rent for the current month need not be refunded. Also: a victim cannot be evicted for incidents of violence against them, and owes no more than the security deposit for damage caused by a perpetrator who is a tenant, if notice is given within 30 days. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6001(6)(A)-(H), 6002(4); definitions § 6000 | Not verified yet |
| Massachusetts | A tenant or co-tenant may end the lease by written notice to the owner that a household member is a victim of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking. The notice must come within 3 months of the latest act, or while the household member reasonably fears imminent serious physical harm. The tenant must move out within 3 months of the notice or the notice is void. Liability: rent ends 30 days or one full rental period after the move-out date, whichever is later. Prepaid rent after that is refunded, and the deposit statement is due within 30 days. Proof the owner may request (any one): a protective order under c. 209A or 258E; a court or law enforcement record; or written verification from a qualified third party plus the victim's statement under penalty of perjury. The owner must keep the documents confidential. Other co-tenants stay bound by the lease. G.L. c. 186, § 24 | Not verified yet |
| Vermont | Yes. A protected tenant may terminate without penalty if they reasonably believe they must leave because of fear of imminent harm to a protected tenant from abuse, sexual assault or stalking, or because a protected tenant was sexually assaulted on the premises in the prior 6 months. At least 30 days before the termination date the tenant must give the landlord written notice plus documentation from a court, law enforcement or government agency, an abuse/sexual assault/stalking assistance program, a professional who provided help, or a self-certification signed under penalty of perjury on a standard form adopted by HUD, the Vermont Department for Children and Families, or a victim-services nonprofit. The notice may be revoked if the landlord has not re-rented. 9 V.S.A. § 4472 | Not verified yet |
More New Hampshire rental law
- New Hampshire Security Deposit Law
- New Hampshire Eviction Laws
- New Hampshire Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- New Hampshire Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Squatters' Rights in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Rental Fee Rules
- New Hampshire Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- New Hampshire Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- New Hampshire Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- New Hampshire Landlord Selling the House
- New Hampshire Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- New Hampshire Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All New Hampshire landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in New Hampshire
Compare breaking a lease in all 50 states and DC →
Breaking a Lease in New Hampshire FAQ
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in New Hampshire?
Yes (since Jan. 1, 2025). A tenant may end the lease if, within the most recent 150 days, the tenant or a household member at the premises was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking (or a new event related to past abuse makes the victim fear for their safety), and the victim gives the landlord written verification of one of: a protective order; filing for a protective order; a report to law enforcement; a statement from a law enforcement official, victim's advocate, attorney or health care provider; or a signed circuit-court self-certification form. The tenant must move out within 30 days of notice (or another agreed date) and owes rent only through the termination date or move-out date, whichever is later. The deposit stays applied until all tenants leave. The landlord must keep the verification confidential. (RSA 540:11-b (2024 ch. 9))
When can a tenant break a lease without penalty in New Hampshire?
Military: a tenant may end a lease if called to active duty as a member of the armed services reserve or National Guard, or, if on active duty, reassigned out of state. Notice of termination must be given within 7 days of receiving notice of the call-up or reassignment, by written notice under SCRA section 305. No state statute was found for medical/disability, senior, or tenant-death termination. (RSA 540:11-a)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.