How Long Does a Landlord Have to Return a Deposit in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, a landlord has 30 calendar days to return a security deposit. The deadline is measured from this trigger: From the termination of the tenancy. The verified penalty formula is landlord who does not comply with interest rules (540-A:6, IV) or return rules (540-A:7) is liable for twice the sum of the security deposit plus any interest due, less payments made and charges owing for damages, unpaid rent, or share of real estate taxes; noncompliance with collection/escrow/transfer rules is also a RSA 358-A:2 consumer-protection violation under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540-A:6 to 540-A:8.
Key facts
| Deadline | 30 calendar days |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | from the termination of the tenancy |
| Penalty formula | landlord who does not comply with interest rules (540-A:6, IV) or return rules (540-A:7) is liable for twice the sum of the security deposit plus any interest due, less payments made and charges owing for damages, unpaid rent, or share of real estate taxes; noncompliance with collection/escrow/transfer rules is also a RSA 358-A:2 consumer-protection violation |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Statute citation | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540-A:6 to 540-A:8 |
Statute says
Except as provided in RSA 540-A:6, IV(c), a landlord shall return a security deposit to a tenant and pay the interest due, if any, within 30 days from the termination of the tenancy. If there are any damages to the premises, excluding reasonable wear and tear, the landlord may deduct the costs of repair from the security deposit. The landlord shall provide the tenant with a written, itemized list of any damages for which the landlord claims the tenant is liable, which shall indicate with particularity the nature of any repair necessary to correct any damage and satisfactory evidence that repair necessary to correct these damages has been or will be completed.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together. Match the date you can prove to the trigger above, then compare the landlord's response to the rule in N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540-A:6 to 540-A:8.
FAQ
Does Manchester have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable New Hampshire law and local rules.
What happens if a landlord misses the New Hampshire deposit deadline?
The verified penalty formula is landlord who does not comply with interest rules (540-A:6, IV) or return rules (540-A:7) is liable for twice the sum of the security deposit plus any interest due, less payments made and charges owing for damages, unpaid rent, or share of real estate taxes; noncompliance with collection/escrow/transfer rules is also a RSA 358-A:2 consumer-protection violation under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540-A:6 to 540-A:8. Keep the move-out date, forwarding address records, and any itemized statement before you act.
Does a demand letter change the legal deadline?
No. The deadline is still 30 calendar days. The deadline trigger is From the termination of the tenancy. A letter documents the timeline and asks the landlord to resolve the deposit before the next step.
If the deadline passed
Send the letter that starts the clock and keeps the demand tied to the verified New Hampshire deadline.
build a New Hampshire demand letter
If the landlord stays silent, review landlord ignoring the deadline before choosing the next step.