New Hampshire Security Deposit Demand Letter
In New Hampshire, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:6). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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New Hampshire deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1 month's rent or $100 (whichever is greater)
As of 2026. Source: N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:6 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a New Hampshire landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:6). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a New Hampshire landlord can charge?
Yes: 1 month's rent or $100 (whichever is greater) (as of 2026; source: N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:6). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in New Hampshire if the landlord ignores this?
$10,000 or less, exclusive of interest and costs (RSA 503:1); claims involving title to real estate are excluded. Plaintiffs with larger claims may voluntarily waive the excess to fit under the cap. The court is the Small Claims (Circuit Court — District Division), and the filing fee is approx. $125 (claims ≤$5,000) / $180 (over) per the 2025 schedule — confirm with the Circuit Court clerk (older guides still show $90/$145). As of 2026; source: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. (RSA) 503:1.
Do I need a lawyer in New Hampshire small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed — either party may be represented by an attorney; representation is not required. Source: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. (RSA) 503:1 (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How New Hampshire compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for New Hampshire: N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:6 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Maine (30 days), Massachusetts (30 days), Vermont (14 days).
The rest of what New Hampshire requires
The figures below are New Hampshire's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full New Hampshire page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1 month's rent or $100 (whichever is greater) N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:6 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:6 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days N.H. Rev. Stat. §540-A:6 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 7 days to pay or quit RSA 540:2, 540:3 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 30 days RSA 540:2, 540:3 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $10,000 N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. (RSA) 503:1 ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims (Circuit Court — District Division) · filing fee approx. $125 (claims ≤$5,000) / $180 (over) per the 2025 schedule — confirm with the Circuit Court clerk (older guides still show $90/$145) N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. (RSA) 503:1 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit New Hampshire General Court ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required New Hampshire DMV (Form TDMV 22A) ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required N.H. Rev. Stat. §564-E:105 (form §564-E:301) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules N.H. RSA 304-C:16 (definition); RSA 304-C:40 (form) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- Register of Deeds (county registry of deeds) · no witnesses NH RSA 477:3 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More New Hampshire legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →