N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 358-A: § 358-A:13
Interpretation and Construction of Act.
Operative Text
It is the intent of the legislature that in any action or prosecution under this chapter, the courts may be guided by the interpretation and construction given Section 5(a)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1)), by the Federal Trade Commission and the federal courts.
New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 358-A:13 establishes that state courts handling cases under the Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 358-A) are not required to interpret the law in isolation. Instead, courts may look to how the Federal Trade Commission and federal courts have interpreted the analogous federal prohibition on unfair or deceptive acts or practices under Section 5(a)(1) of the FTC Act as a guiding reference. This provision creates a bridge between state and federal consumer protection frameworks, allowing New Hampshire law to evolve alongside federal interpretations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in New Hampshire should be aware that § 358-A:13 means the consumer protection standards they are held to under state law may be informed by federal FTC enforcement precedents and federal court decisions. Compliant operators generally review both state guidance and relevant FTC interpretations when evaluating whether their rental practices, advertising, or disclosures could be considered unfair or deceptive. Because federal case law and FTC guidance can shape how New Hampshire courts apply Chapter 358-A, staying current with both bodies of authority is a common practice among diligent property managers.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 358-A:13, tenants pursuing claims under New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act may benefit from the fact that courts can draw on a broad body of federal FTC precedent when evaluating whether a landlord's conduct was unfair or deceptive. This means the protections available under Chapter 358-A are not strictly limited to what New Hampshire courts alone have addressed — federal interpretations of similar conduct can also inform the analysis. Tenants who believe their rights under Chapter 358-A have been violated may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how both state and federal consumer protection standards might apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 20, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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