N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 358-H: § 358-H:8
Surety Bond.
Operative Text
A rental referral agency shall post a surety bond of not less than $20,000 with the attorney general, department of justice. The type of surety bond shall be designated by the attorney general. No bond shall be accepted for filing unless it is with a surety company authorized to do business in this state. The surety may cancel the bond at any time upon giving 30 days' written notice to the attorney general. Any person who is damaged by any violation of this chapter, or by the rental referral agency's breach of the contract subject thereto, may bring an action against the bond to recover damages suffered and any other amounts allowable by law. The attorney general, in an action brought under this chapter or any other applicable provision of law, may likewise proceed against the bond. In no event shall the aggregate liability of the surety for all claims exceed the bond amount.
Under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 358-H:8, every rental referral agency operating in New Hampshire must maintain a surety bond of at least $20,000, filed with the state Attorney General's office. The bond serves as a financial backstop: if the agency violates the chapter or breaches a related contract, harmed individuals or the Attorney General can bring a legal action directly against the bond to recover damages. The surety company can cancel the bond, but only after giving 30 days' written notice to the Attorney General, and the total payout to all claimants combined cannot exceed the bond's face amount.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who operate as rental referral agencies in New Hampshire must comply with § 358-H:8 by securing and maintaining a surety bond of no less than $20,000 from a surety company licensed to do business in the state, then filing it with the Attorney General, Department of Justice. Compliant operators keep track of any cancellation notices from their surety, since a 30-day notice window triggers the need to replace coverage promptly to remain in good standing. Maintaining continuous, valid bond coverage is a core operational requirement under this chapter, and the bond type itself is subject to designation by the Attorney General.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If you have used a rental referral agency in New Hampshire and believe the agency violated Chapter 358-H or breached its contract with you, § 358-H:8 establishes that you may bring a legal action directly against the agency's surety bond to seek recovery of damages and any other amounts allowable by law. The bond, which must be at least $20,000, is held on file with the New Hampshire Attorney General, Department of Justice, which also has independent authority to pursue claims against the bond. Tenants exploring this path may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand what documentation and procedures are involved in a bond claim.
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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