New Hampshire Eviction Laws

New Hampshire requires a 7-day written notice to quit for nonpayment of rent.

Key Rules

Nonpayment Notice
7 days written notice to pay or quit for nonpayment of rent
Periodic Tenancy Notice
30 days written notice required for all residential tenancies (not tied to the rental period's length); 7 days suffices only for enumerated reasons (nonpayment, property damage, health/safety, domestic-violence-related cotenant removal).
Just Cause Required
No — New Hampshire does not require just cause for eviction
Rent Control
No rent control in New Hampshire

Some citations below have not been confirmed against their official source. Confirm current requirements with local legal aid or an attorney.

Applicable Statutes

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:2

Grounds for eviction: includes nonpayment of rent, violation of lease terms, and expiration of tenancy. Landlord must give proper written notice before filing.

Source confirmed · Official state source

View archived excerpt
“…d by applicable law. (f) Nothing in this section shall preclude eviction for nonpayment of rent. A landlord may evict on any grounds set forth in RSA 540:2, II which are unrelated to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. (g) The defense set forth in subparagraph VII(a) shall be an affirmative d…”

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:3

Notice to quit: for residential tenancies, 30 days written notice is required in all cases, except 7 days suffices when the reason is nonpayment of rent, substantial property damage, health/safety-affecting tenant behavior, or a cotenant's domestic-violence/stalking-related removal (RSA 540:2, II(a),(b),(d),(h)). The eviction notice must state the reason with specificity, and a nonpayment notice must inform the tenant of the right to avoid eviction by paying the arrears (RSA 540:9).

Not confirmed against its source · checked

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:9

Nonpayment cure (pay-and-stay): a possessory action based solely on nonpayment of rent must be dismissed if, before the merits hearing, the tenant pays the landlord all rent due plus lawful charges, $15 liquidated damages, and filing/service costs, and the landlord files a receipt of that payment with the court. A tenant may not use this cure more than 3 times within a 12-month period.

Not confirmed against its source · checked

Legal Aid Resources

New Hampshire Legal Assistance

603-224-3333

New Hampshire statewide

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