New Hampshire Late Fee Law
No New Hampshire statute caps residential late fees or requires a grace period; the lease sets both.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
New Hampshire late fee law at a glance
| Late-fee cap | No state capRSA ch. 540-A (silent), RSA ch. 540 (silent) |
|---|---|
| Grace period | No state grace periodRSA ch. 540 (silent), RSA ch. 540-A (silent) |
| Notice before filing for unpaid rent | 7 days (7-day eviction notice (after demand for rent))RSA 540:3, RSA 540:2, II(a), RSA 540:9 |
What New Hampshire law says
Is there a limit on late fees in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has no statute capping residential late fees, so the amount comes from the lease (RSA chs. 540 and 540-A contain no late-fee limit) (RSA ch. 540-A (silent)).
Does New Hampshire require a grace period before a late fee?
New Hampshire law does not require a grace period before a late fee may be charged, so any grace period comes from the lease (RSA chs. 540 and 540-A are silent) (RSA ch. 540 (silent)).
How much notice must a New Hampshire landlord give 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 New Hampshire compares
31 of 51 verified jurisdictions set no statutory cap. 14 require a grace period.
Vermont follows the same rule as New Hampshire; 2 of its 3 neighbors differ.
| Late-fee cap · grace period | States |
|---|---|
| No state cap · none | New Hampshire, Vermont |
| Statutory formula · 15 days | Maine |
| No state cap · 30 days | Massachusetts |
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 |
| 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 |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days (either side)RSA 540:2, RSA 540:3, RSA 540:11, RSA 540:1-a |
Read the New Hampshire law
Put the late fee and grace period in writing
Related
- Free late rent notice
- New Hampshire lease agreement
- New Hampshire landlord-tenant law
- Late fee 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