New Hampshire Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only). Court: Circuit Court (District Division) small claims. Limitation period listed in our state data: 3 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 0/15 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 30 days.
County court coverage and fees
15 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 0, No 0, Not verified 15
Deposit return deadlines
- 30 calendar days after from the termination of the tenancy.
From a letter to court
- Send a New Hampshire security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 30 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in New Hampshire: 3 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Yes
Statewide filing fee: Small Claims Entry and Counterclaim, $5000 or less $105.00; Small Claims Entry and Counterclaim, $5001 to $10,000 $160.00; plus $20 electronic-filing surcharge (Dist. Div. R. 1.28).
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Electronic Filing is mandatory in small claims cases at all district division locations. Self-represented litigants will use the program TurboCourt.
Free New Hampshire template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under New Hampshire law (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540-A:6 to 540-A:8), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 calendar days from the termination of the tenancy.
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court (District Division) small claims |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 3 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
What you can recover
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.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | Manchester District Division, Manchester | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Rockingham | Rockingham District Division, Brentwood | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Merrimack | Concord District Division, Concord | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Strafford | Dover District Division, Dover | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Grafton | Lebanon District Division, Lebanon | $10,000 | Statewide filing fee: Confirm current filing and service fees with the circuit court clerk. | Not verified | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Hillsborough County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Hillsborough County), Manchester | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Rockingham County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Rockingham County), Brentwood | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Merrimack County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Merrimack County), Concord | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Strafford County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Strafford County), Dover | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Grafton County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Grafton County), Haverhill | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Cheshire County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Cheshire County), Keene | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Belknap County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Belknap County), Laconia | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Carroll County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Carroll County), Ossipee | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Sullivan County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Sullivan County), Newport | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Coos County | New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Coos County), Lancaster | $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
Detailed guides for 15 counties
Statute says
Any landlord who does not comply with RSA 540-A:6, IV or RSA 540-A:7 shall be liable to the tenant in damages in an amount equal to twice the sum of the amount of the security deposit plus any interest due under this subdivision, less any payments made and any charges owing for damages, unpaid rent, or share of real estate taxes as specified in RSA 540-A:7.
What this means
Tenant resources
- 603 Legal Aidlegal aid in Concord, 800-639-5290
- New Hampshire Legal Assistancelegal aid, 800-562-3174
- New Hampshire Department of Justice Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureauag consumer, 603-271-3641
- New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Helpcourt self help
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in New Hampshire?
$10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 3 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
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.
Which court handles the claim?
Circuit Court (District Division) small claims
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 30 calendar days after from the termination of the tenancy. Typical response window after a demand letter: 30 days.