New Hampshire Eviction Laws
New Hampshire rules on eviction for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: 7-day written eviction notice (plus a demand for rent), stating the reason with specificity and telling the tenant of the right to avoid eviction by paying arrears. RSA 540:3, II-IV; RSA 540:2, II(a); RSA 540:5
The rules in New Hampshire
| Notice for unpaid rent | 7-day written eviction notice (plus a demand for rent), stating the reason with specificity and telling the tenant of the right to avoid eviction by paying arrears. Right to cure: case is dismissed if, before the merits hearing, the tenant pays all rent due, other lawful lease charges, $15 liquidated damages, and the landlord's filing and service costs. Available no more than 3 times in 12 months (RSA 540:9, https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LV/540/540-9.htm). RSA 540:3 was amended by 2024 ch. 9, effective Jan. 1, 2025. |
|---|---|
| Notice for lease violations | 30-day written eviction notice for breach of a material lease term or other good cause; 7 days for substantial damage to the premises, conduct affecting health or safety, or (in certain domestic-violence cases) a remaining cotenant accused of abuse. For 'restricted property' (most residential rentals), good cause is required, and an eviction based on tenant conduct requires a prior written warning that the conduct would be grounds for eviction (RSA 540:2, III, https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LV/540/540-2.htm). No statutory right to cure a non-rent violation was found. Source: RSA 540:3, II; RSA 540:2, II-III |
| Lockouts & utility shutoffs | Prohibited. Landlord may not willfully interrupt or terminate any utility (even one it doesn't control), except temporarily for repairs or emergencies, and may not lock out or deny access to the tenant or the tenant's property except by judicial process. Tenant petitions the district division (RSA 540-A:4, https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LV/540-A/540-A-4.htm): hearing within 30 days of petition or 10 days after service (whichever later); ex parte temporary orders available for immediate irreparable harm; each day of violation after a temporary order is a separate violation. Remedies follow RSA 358-A:10: actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater, 2-3x if willful or knowing, plus costs and attorney's fees (https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXXI/358-A/358-A-10.htm). If the unit was re-let after an unlawful lockout, damages are at least $3,000. |
How an eviction case works in New Hampshire
Eviction cases are heard in: New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division.
- Landlord serves a demand for rent (nonpayment cases) and a written eviction notice stating the reason with specificity (7 or 30 days depending on the ground; RSA 540:3, 540:5). Court forms are on the Judicial Branch site.
- Optional: free pre-filing mediation through the court's Eviction Diversion Program.
- After the notice period expires, landlord obtains a landlord-and-tenant writ of summons, served by the sheriff with a notice of tenant rights; returnable 7 days after service (RSA 540:13).
- Tenant files an appearance by the return day; for cases under the Oct. 8, 2026 amendments, tenant must also file an answer within 5 days after the return date stating defenses/counterclaims. Failure to appear = default.
- Hearing scheduled within 10 days after appearance (notice mailed at least 6 days before). Money claims in the case are capped at $1,500.
- Judgment: if landlord prevails, judgment enters 7 days after the notice of decision; court may grant a discretionary stay (from Oct. 8, 2026: up to 60 days, or 75 in limited cases; tenant pays weekly rent in advance) (RSA 540:13-c).
- Writ of possession issues; the sheriff removes the tenant (RSA 540:14). Tenant appeal requires notice of intent within 7 days and paying rent into court during the appeal.
Landlords: how to evict a tenant in New Hampshire — steps, costs, timeline and forms.
Eviction court and fees by county
- Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)
- Rockingham County (Brentwood)
- Strafford County
- Merrimack County
Free calculators
- Notice Deadline Calculator — Enter the date a notice was delivered and see the date it runs out under your state's law.
Templates
Related questions
- Can a landlord evict you without going to court, change the locks or shut off utilities?
- How long does an eviction take?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before an eviction?
New Hampshire vs. neighboring states
| State | Notice for unpaid rent | Notice for lease violations | Lockouts & utility shutoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 7-day written eviction notice (plus a demand for rent), stating the reason with specificity and telling the tenant of the right to avoid eviction by paying arrears. RSA 540:3, II-IV; RSA 540:2, II(a); RSA 540:5 | 30-day written eviction notice for breach of a material lease term or other good cause; 7 days for substantial damage to the premises, conduct affecting health or safety, or (in certain domestic-violence cases) a remaining cotenant accused of abuse. RSA 540:3, II; RSA 540:2, II-III | Prohibited. Landlord may not willfully interrupt or terminate any utility (even one it doesn't control), except temporarily for repairs or emergencies, and may not lock out or deny access to the tenant or the tenant's property except by judicial process. RSA 540-A:3, I-III; RSA 540-A:4; RSA 358-A:10 |
| Maine | 7-day written notice to quit (tenancy at will) when rent is 7 or more days in arrears. Paying the full rent due before the notice expires voids it. After expiration, paying all arrears, rent due to date, and the landlord's filing and service fees before the writ of possession issues reinstates the tenancy. 14 M.R.S. § 6002(1)(C), (1), (2) | Tenancy at will: 7-day written notice for specified causes - substantial unrepaired damage, nuisance/making the unit unfit/violation of law, domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking against another tenant, violence or threats against other tenants/guests/landlord, or an unauthorized occupant. The statutory cure/reinstatement right in § 6002 applies to the rent-arrears ground. For written leases, the lease terms govern; if a lease has no termination provision for material breach, § 6001(1-B) allows termination under § 6002 procedures. 14 M.R.S. §§ 6002(1)(A)-(F), 6001(1-B) | Self-help eviction is illegal: a landlord may not willfully interrupt utilities (water, heat, electricity, gas, etc.), lock the tenant out, or seize the tenant's property except by judicial process. Remedy: actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees. 14 M.R.S. § 6014 |
| Massachusetts | 14 days' written notice to quit. For tenants at will: a tenant who has not received a similar notice in the previous 12 months can cure by paying the full rent due within 10 days after receiving the notice, and the notice must state this right. For tenants with a lease: the tenant can cure by paying all rent due, plus interest and costs, on or before the day the answer is due in the eviction case. G.L. c. 186, §§ 11, 12, 31 | No single statutory period. Tenancy at will: the landlord generally ends it with a written notice to quit of at least 30 days (or one rental period, if longer) that expires at the end of a rental period, stating the lease violation as the reason. Unexpired lease: the lease itself controls the grounds for termination and the notice required. G.L. c. 186, § 12; Massachusetts Court System guidance | Illegal. A landlord who willfully fails to provide required utilities or services (heat, hot water, water, light, power, gas, elevator); interferes with them; shifts utility costs to the tenant without consent; interferes with quiet enjoyment; or tries to regain possession by force without court process faces: a criminal fine of $25-$300 or up to 6 months' imprisonment; and civil liability for actual and consequential damages or 3 months' rent, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney's fees. A tenant removed or excluded without a valid court order may get back into the unit or end the lease, and may recover 3 months' rent or 3x actual damages, plus costs and attorney's fees. G.L. c. 186, §§ 14, 15F |
| Vermont | Written notice of termination at least 14 days after actual notice. The tenancy does not terminate if the tenant pays or tenders all rent due through the end of the rental period in which payment is made. 9 V.S.A. 4467(a) | Breach of the rental agreement or tenant obligations: at least 30 days' notice. Criminal activity, illegal drug activity, or acts of violence threatening other residents' health or safety: at least 14 days' notice. 9 V.S.A. 4467(b) | Landlord may not willfully interrupt or terminate a tenant's utility service (except for temporary emergency repairs), or deny access to the premises or the tenant's property, except by proper judicial process. Tenant may sue for injunctive relief, damages, costs and reasonable attorney's fees. 9 V.S.A. 4463; 4464 |
More New Hampshire rental law
- New Hampshire Security Deposit Law
- New Hampshire Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- New Hampshire Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in New Hampshire
- 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 eviction in all 50 states and DC →
New Hampshire Eviction Laws FAQ
How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in New Hampshire?
7-day written eviction notice (plus a demand for rent), stating the reason with specificity and telling the tenant of the right to avoid eviction by paying arrears. (RSA 540:3, II-IV; RSA 540:2, II(a); RSA 540:5)
How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in New Hampshire?
30-day written eviction notice for breach of a material lease term or other good cause; 7 days for substantial damage to the premises, conduct affecting health or safety, or (in certain domestic-violence cases) a remaining cotenant accused of abuse. (RSA 540:3, II; RSA 540:2, II-III)
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in New Hampshire?
Prohibited. Landlord may not willfully interrupt or terminate any utility (even one it doesn't control), except temporarily for repairs or emergencies, and may not lock out or deny access to the tenant or the tenant's property except by judicial process. (RSA 540-A:3, I-III; RSA 540-A:4; RSA 358-A:10)
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.