N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 502-A:16-a § 502-A:16-a
Change of Venue in Possessory Actions Regarding Residential Property.
Operative Text
Venue in possessory actions concerning residential property brought pursuant to RSA 540 which are initiated in a judicial district other than that in which the defendant resides may be transferred as follows: I. In cases based on grounds other than nonpayment of rent, venue shall be transferred to the judicial district in which the defendant resides at the request of the defendant. II. In cases based on nonpayment of rent, venue may be transferred to the judicial district in which defendant resides when the court, in its discretion, determines that justice so requires.
New Hampshire Revised Statutes § 502-A:16-a governs where residential eviction cases can be heard when the case is filed in a court district other than where the tenant lives. For evictions based on reasons other than unpaid rent, the tenant has an automatic right to have the case moved to their home district upon request. For evictions based on nonpayment of rent, a transfer to the tenant's home district is possible but is left to the court's discretion based on the interests of justice.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 502-A:16-a, landlords who initiate possessory actions in a judicial district where the tenant does not reside should be aware that the venue may shift. In non-rent-based eviction cases, a tenant's request for transfer to their home district is essentially automatic, so operators generally account for potential venue changes when planning case timelines. In nonpayment cases, a transfer is not guaranteed but remains a possibility if the court finds it appropriate.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 502-A:16-a provides tenants with a procedural protection when an eviction case is filed outside the judicial district where they live. In cases not involving unpaid rent, a tenant can request that the case be moved to their home district as a matter of right. In nonpayment-of-rent cases, a tenant may ask the court to transfer the case, and the court will decide whether doing so serves the interests of justice; tenant-rights organizations in New Hampshire can help explain how this process generally works.
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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