N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-C: § 540-C:3
Removal Upon Expiration of Lease.
Operative Text
Any law enforcement officer of this state, upon presentation of the expired lease by the owner or the owner's authorized agent, shall remove the occupants from the dwelling unit. Upon removal the occupants shall be deemed to have abandoned his or her rights of occupancy and the owner may then make such unit available to other occupants.
Under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-C:3, when a residential lease has expired, a property owner or their authorized agent may present that expired lease to a law enforcement officer, who is then authorized to remove the occupants from the dwelling unit. Once removed, the occupants are legally considered to have given up any remaining rights to occupy the unit, and the owner is free to re-rent or otherwise make the unit available to new occupants. This provision establishes a specific, expedited removal mechanism tied directly to lease expiration rather than a standard eviction proceeding.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 540-C:3, compliant operators who hold an expired lease document may work with law enforcement to facilitate removal of holdover occupants without initiating a traditional eviction lawsuit. Property managers generally ensure that lease expiration dates are clearly documented and that any authorized agent presenting the expired lease to law enforcement has proper written authorization. Keeping thorough records of lease terms and expiration dates is a standard practice that supports use of this provision when a tenancy has ended.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 540-C:3 grants law enforcement authority to remove occupants upon presentation of an expired lease, which means occupants whose leases have ended may face removal without a conventional court eviction process. Tenants who believe their lease has not actually expired, that the lease presented is inaccurate, or that other legal protections apply to their situation may have grounds to raise those issues as a defense. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with New Hampshire housing law can help occupants understand what options may be available to them under § 540-C:3 and related statutes.
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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