Eviction in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua), New Hampshire

Where eviction cases are filed in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)

Eviction court: NH Circuit Court - District Division (Hillsborough County locations) — State circuit court, District Division (Landlord and Tenant Writ, RSA 540) Court page
Filing fee: $150 landlord/tenant entry (filing) fee plus $1 for the Landlord and Tenant Writ; sheriff's service fee is extra and varies. NH Circuit Court Filing Fees, District Division (07/01/2025); NH Circuit Court 'How to File a Landlord and Tenant Writ' (07/01/2025)
Notice before filing (state law): 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. New Hampshire rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026): $2,037/month HUD
Renter households: 55,030 (33% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)

Eviction cases in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua) are heard by the NH Circuit Court - District Division (Hillsborough County locations) (State circuit court, District Division (Landlord and Tenant Writ, RSA 540)).

9th Circuit - District Division - Manchester — 35 Amherst Street, Manchester, NH 03101 (City of Manchester) · website
9th Circuit - District Division - Nashua — 30 Spring Street, Suite 101, Nashua, NH 03060 (Nashua, Hudson, Hollis) · website
9th Circuit - District Division - Merrimack — 4 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack, NH 03054 (Merrimack, Litchfield, Bedford) · website
9th Circuit - District Division - Milford — 4 Meadowbrook Drive, Milford, NH 03055 (Milford, Brookline, Amherst, Mason, Wilton, Lyndeborough, Mont Vernon) · website
9th Circuit - District Division - Goffstown — 329 Mast Road, Goffstown, NH 03045 (Goffstown, Weare, New Boston, Francestown) · website
6th Circuit - District Division - Hillsborough — 15 Antrim Road, Box #3, Hillsborough, NH 03244 (Hillsborough, Antrim, Deering, Windsor, Bennington and nearby towns) · website

Court eviction page · Self-help center

File the writ in the District Division for the town where the landlord or tenant lives or the property is located. Some Hillsborough County towns are served by courts in other counties (for example, Pelham by Salem); check the court's town list. All locations: 1-855-212-1234, Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm. The Hillsborough County Sheriff (329 Mast Road, Goffstown; 603-627-5610) serves the writ.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)

$150 landlord/tenant entry (filing) fee plus $1 for the Landlord and Tenant Writ; sheriff's service fee is extra and varies.

Statewide fee. Writ filing instructions: https://www.courts.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt471/files/documents/2021-04/llt-writ-filing-and-service-instructions.pdf. If the landlord wins, the court can order the tenant to repay filing and service costs. Anyone who cannot afford a court fee may ask the court to pay less or file for free.

Source: NH Circuit Court Filing Fees, District Division (07/01/2025); NH Circuit Court 'How to File a Landlord and Tenant Writ' (07/01/2025)

How eviction cases work locally

Free pre-filing mediation (Eviction Diversion Program)	Before a case is filed, landlords and tenants can use the court's free remote mediation service (Office of Mediation and Arbitration, 603-271-6418, evictiondiversion@courts.state.nh.us). Some courts also offer mediation before the hearing. Source: Official source

The New Hampshire eviction process

New Hampshire state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua):

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.

Full New Hampshire eviction rules with sources →

2,234 landlord-tenant writs filed in 2025 in the five 9th Circuit District Division courts in Hillsborough County (Manchester 1,229; Nashua 688; Milford 183; Merrimack 76; Goffstown 58) Source

Rent in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Manchester, NH HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio	$1,404
1 bedroom	$1,552
2 bedrooms	$2,037
3 bedrooms	$2,442
4 bedrooms	$2,697

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua): $1,623/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; New Hampshire landlord-tenant rules are set by state law (RSA 540).

Eviction help in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)

Free legal help

603 Legal Aid — Free civil legal help for eligible New Hampshire residents; the court's eviction page lists 1-800-639-5290.
New Hampshire Legal Assistance — Free civil legal services for eligible low-income residents; 1-800-562-3174.

Other New Hampshire counties

Eviction in Rockingham County (Brentwood)

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)?

Eviction cases in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua) are filed with the NH Circuit Court - District Division (Hillsborough County locations).

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)?

$150 landlord/tenant entry (filing) fee plus $1 for the Landlord and Tenant Writ; sheriff's service fee is extra and varies.

Where can I get help with an eviction in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)?

603 Legal Aid; New Hampshire Legal Assistance.

What is the fair market rent in Hillsborough County (Manchester and Nashua)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $2,037 per month (1-bedroom: $1,552).

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.