Cheshire County, New Hampshire: Small Claims for a Security Deposit

Limits: $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only). Court: New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Cheshire County).

Filing facts

State small claims limits	$10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only)
Statewide filing fee	Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. State court directory
E-filing	Not verified
Time limit to sue in New Hampshire	3 years.
State deposit return deadline	30 calendar days after 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.
Deposit statute	N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540-A:6 to 540-A:8

Where to file

New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Cheshire County)

Courthouse city: Keene

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

State court directory

Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks

See how to file in New Hampshire for the state filing procedure.

Rent and deposits in Cheshire County

County median gross rent: $1,220 per month.

County median gross rent by bedroom count
Bedrooms	Monthly rent
Studio	$791
1 bedroom	$923
2 bedrooms	$1,413
3 bedrooms	$1,645
4 bedrooms	$1,583

Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $1,413; two months is $2,826. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $1,413.

State legal maximum deposit in New Hampshire: Not more than one month's rent ($1,413 at the example rent) or $100, whichever is greater. Security deposit means all funds in excess of monthly rent transferred for any purpose. Quarterly (or less frequent) rent payment leases allowed, but deposit still cannot exceed one month's rent ($1,413 at the example rent) equivalent.

Total households in Cheshire County: 30,519.

Renter households: 9,067 (29.7% of all households).

Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 7.4%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.

County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed 2026-09-21.

Will my deposit claim fit the limit?

Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Cheshire County, $1,413 per month.

The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.

Compared with $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only), the whole deposit range fits.

A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.

Towns this court serves

A deposit claim is usually filed where the property sits or where the landlord is.

Keene

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file.

Statewide help

New Hampshire Legal Assistance
Free civil legal advice and representation for eligible low-income residents and older adults, including eviction defense and other housing matters. Applications go through 603 Legal Aid at the listed number.
Phone: (800) 639-5290
603 Legal Aid
Free civil legal advice, representation and referrals for eligible New Hampshire residents; centralized intake for legal aid, including housing problems.
Phone: (800) 639-5290

These are independent organisations, not DemandLetterLab.

From letter to filing

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.

This template uses New Hampshire law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.

Choose how to send your letter

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$49, done for you.

We write the letter from the facts you send, mail it by USPS Certified Mail with tracking, and send you the tracking number and a PDF record of what was sent.

Mailed within 2 business days of your completed form, or a full refund.

Document preparation and mailing, not legal advice. We do not assess your claim, choose a strategy, or promise a recovery.

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A print-ready PDF of the New Hampshire letter template, ready to download after payment.

Certified-mail instructions: what to ask for at the counter and what it costs.
New Hampshire small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

You fill in the template, print it, and pay postage. The same letter template is also available free by email below. The kit adds the print-ready PDF, mailing guide, and local details in one place.

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Free New Hampshire template, built from verified state data

Methodology: every statute verified against primary sources. See how verification works.

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.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Cheshire County?

Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. State court directory

How long do I have to sue?

Time limit to sue in New Hampshire: 3 years.

Where do I file?

New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Cheshire County). Courthouse city: Keene. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.