New Hampshire security deposit law
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New Hampshire?
The short answer
New Hampshire law gives your landlord 30 days after move out to return your deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, under RSA § 540-A:7. Miss the deadline and the landlord loses legal ground and can owe up to 2x the deposit.
Under RSA § 540-A:7, a New Hampshire landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days, counted from move out. The return must include an itemized statement listing every deduction.
What the deadline really means: it is not a suggestion. A landlord who misses it weakens any claim to your money and exposes themselves to statutory consequences. Courts can award up to 2x the deposit for wrongful withholding.
How to count the days: the clock starts at move out, not when the landlord gets around to an inspection. Mark the date you handed back keys and gave your forwarding address; that documentation decides deadline disputes.
If the deadline has already passed, the next step is a written demand: a formal letter citing RSA § 540-A:7, the missed date, and the amount owed. Landlords who ignore informal texts frequently respond to a statute-cited demand sent by certified mail, because it shows you know the deadline and its consequences, and it becomes Exhibit A if you later file in District Division — Small Claims.
The New Hampshire rules at a glance. Governing statute: RSA § 540-A:7. Return deadline: 30 days. Statutory damages: up to 2x the deposit for wrongful withholding. Attorney's fees: recoverable in qualifying cases. Court for disputes: District Division — Small Claims, claims up to $10,000.
Looking for the rules beyond this state? Security deposit return deadlines by state
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