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Rent Regulations

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540: § 540:12

Possessory Action.

In Force
Verified 10/20/2026 · Next check 10/27/2026
effective 10/20/2026New HampshireEviction & Just Cause

Operative Text

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540: § 540:12
The owner, lessor, or purchaser at a mortgage foreclosure sale of any tenement or real estate may recover possession thereof from a lessee, occupant, mortgagor, or other person in possession, holding it without right, after notice in writing to quit the same as herein prescribed.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:12, a property owner, lessor, or someone who purchased property through a mortgage foreclosure sale has a legal avenue to reclaim possession of that property from a tenant, occupant, mortgagor, or any other person who is holding it without a legal right to do so. The process requires that the person seeking possession first provide the occupant with a written notice to quit, following the procedures set out in the statute. This provision establishes the foundational framework for a possessory action in New Hampshire, meaning it defines who may bring such a claim and the preliminary step that must be taken before pursuing it in court.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 20, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Property owners, lessors, and foreclosure purchasers operating under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:12 generally ensure that any effort to recover possession begins with a properly formatted written notice to quit delivered in accordance with the statutory requirements. Compliant operators document the basis for the possessory claim—whether it stems from a lease termination, a holdover situation, or a foreclosure—before initiating any court proceedings. Maintaining clear records of ownership or purchase, the occupant's status, and the delivery of the required notice is a standard practice for those pursuing a possessory action under this provision.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:12, a person in possession of a property cannot be removed through a possessory action unless the owner or lessor has first served a written notice to quit that meets the statutory requirements. Tenants and occupants who receive such a notice may have grounds to examine whether the notice was properly issued and whether the party seeking possession has the legal standing the statute requires. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with New Hampshire housing law can help occupants understand what options may be available when a possessory action is initiated against them.

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.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 20, 2026
Click on timeline segments to view historical versions.

References Out

No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:2
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:14
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:4
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:2
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:5
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:13-d
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:13-a
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:1-b
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:3
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:11-b
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:13-a
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:5
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:2
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:1-a
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:2
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:20
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:13-a
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:2
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:1-a
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:5
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:14
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:2
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:9
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:2
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540:3
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540

Related Rules

§ 151.20
TEMPORARY EVICTION CONTROLS AND RENT REDUCTIONS FOR MOBILE HOMES DAMAGED IN THE JANUARY, 1994 EARTHQUAKE
§ 1
Definitions
§ 2
Eviction of tenants prohibited; exceptions

Source Information

Source:https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LV/540/540-12.htm
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