New Hampshire Eviction Notice Law
New Hampshire's notice period for unpaid rent is 7 days (7-day eviction notice (after demand for rent)). For a lease violation it is 30 days, with no statutory chance to cure.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Not legal advice. A defective notice can restart an eviction case; ask a New Hampshire attorney or court self-help center before serving one. See our disclaimer.
New Hampshire eviction notice rules at a glance
| Notice for unpaid rent | 7 days (7-day eviction notice (after demand for rent))RSA 540:3, RSA 540:2, II(a), RSA 540:9 |
|---|---|
| Notice for a lease violation | 30 days (no statutory cure period)RSA 540:3, RSA 540:2 |
| Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no-fault) | 30 days (either side)RSA 540:2, RSA 540:3, RSA 540:11, RSA 540:1-a |
What New Hampshire law says
What notice must a New Hampshire landlord give before filing an eviction for unpaid rent?
For unpaid rent, demand the rent and then serve a written 7-day eviction notice that states the reason and tells the tenant they can stop the eviction by paying the arrears, $15 liquidated damages and costs before the hearing (RSA 540:2, II(a); 540:3, II and IV; 540:9) (RSA 540:3).
How much notice is required for a lease violation in New Hampshire?
To evict for failing to comply with a material lease term, serve a written 30-day eviction notice stating the reason; 7 days is enough only for substantial damage or behavior threatening others' health or safety (RSA 540:2, II(b)-(d); 540:3, II-III) (RSA 540:3).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in New Hampshire?
Ending a New Hampshire month-to-month residential tenancy takes 30 days' written notice either way, and for most rental property a landlord also needs one of the statutory grounds, which include 'other good cause' such as a legitimate business reason (RSA 540:2, 540:3, II, 540:11, II).
How New Hampshire compares
23 of 49 verified jurisdictions use a shorter unpaid-rent notice.
None of New Hampshire's 3 neighbors follows the same rule.
| Unpaid rent · lease violation | States |
|---|---|
| 7 days · 30 days | New Hampshire |
| 7 days · 7 days | Maine |
| 14 days · no statewide rule | Massachusetts |
| 14 days · 30 days | Vermont |
Other New Hampshire rules
| Security deposit limit | 1 month's rent (with exceptions)RSA 540-A:6, I(a), RSA 540-A:5, I |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after the lease endsRSA 540-A:7, I |
| Late-fee cap | No state capRSA ch. 540-A (silent), RSA ch. 540 (silent) |
| Entry notice | Tenant's prior consent required; tenant may not refuse access for repairs or other reasonable functions at a reasonable time after notice adequate under the circumstances; 48 hours' written notice to inspect for bed bugs from an adjacent unit; no consent needed for emergency repairs or with a court orderRSA 540-A:3, RSA 540-A:4 |
| Rent-increase notice | 30 days (Fixed-term leases: no increase before the term ends unless the lease allows it)RSA 540:2 |
Read the New Hampshire law
Put the rent due date and notice terms in writing
Related
- Free late rent notice
- New Hampshire lease agreement
- New Hampshire landlord-tenant law
- Eviction notice laws in every state
- New Hampshire notice to vacate
- New Hampshire rent increase notice
- New Hampshire security deposit return letter
- New Hampshire lease termination letter
- New Hampshire lease renewal letter
- New Hampshire pet addendum