N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A: § 540-A:7
Return of Security Deposit.
Operative Text
I. Except as provided in RSA 540-A:6, IV(c), a landlord shall return a security deposit to a tenant and pay the interest due, if any, within 30 days from the termination of the tenancy. If there are any damages to the premises, excluding reasonable wear and tear, the landlord may deduct the costs of repair from the security deposit. The landlord shall provide the tenant with a written, itemized list of any damages for which the landlord claims the tenant is liable, which shall indicate with particularity the nature of any repair necessary to correct any damage and satisfactory evidence that repair necessary to correct these damages has been or will be completed. Satisfactory evidence may include, but not be limited to, receipts for purchased repair materials and labor estimates, bills or invoices indicating the actual or estimated cost thereof. II. If the tenant is required under the lease agreement to pay all or part of any increase in real estate taxes levied against the property and becoming due and payable during the term of the lease, or if there is unpaid rent due, or if there are other lawful charges due under the lease which remain unpaid, the landlord may deduct such share of real estate taxes or unpaid rent or unpaid charges from the amount of the security deposit. The landlord shall provide the tenant with a written, itemized list of any claim for unpaid rent or share of real estate taxes or unpaid charges for which the landlord claims the tenant is liable, which shall indicate with particularity the period for which the claim is being made.
Under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:7, landlords in New Hampshire are required to return a tenant's security deposit—along with any accrued interest—within 30 days of the tenancy ending. If the landlord withholds any portion of the deposit, the reason must be documented in a written, itemized list that specifically describes each damage or unpaid charge being claimed. Permissible deductions include costs to repair damage beyond normal wear and tear, a tenant's share of real estate tax increases (if required by the lease), unpaid rent, and other lawful unpaid charges. Supporting evidence such as receipts, labor estimates, or invoices must accompany any claim for repair costs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to § 540-A:7 generally maintain a clear move-out process that includes a written, itemized deduction statement delivered to the tenant within the 30-day return window. Compliant landlords document each claimed damage with specificity—describing the nature of the repair needed—and retain supporting materials such as receipts, invoices, or contractor estimates as satisfactory evidence. Deductions for items like unpaid rent or a lease-required share of real estate tax increases should be listed separately, with the specific period of the claim identified, to meet the particularity standard the statute requires.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 540-A:7, tenants have a right to receive their security deposit and any interest back within 30 days of the tenancy ending, along with a written, itemized explanation if any amount is withheld. If a landlord fails to provide the required documentation—including specific descriptions of damages and supporting evidence of repair costs—that failure may be relevant to any dispute over the withheld amount. Tenants who believe their deposit was improperly withheld can explore options such as raising the landlord's non-compliance as a defense in court, filing a complaint with a local housing authority, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with New Hampshire law.
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
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation