State law · statute quotes
New Hampshire security deposit laws for landlords and property managers
The words of New Hampshire's security deposit statute on each topic, quoted verbatim with pinpoint citations and links to the official source. No summaries, no interpretation.
Reviewed by Mark Shvaya, licensed California real estate broker (DRE #02243502), who uses ProFlow360 in a rental portfolio Mark manages
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Quoted on this page
- Deposit limit
- Returning the deposit
- Itemized statement
- Inspections and condition reports
- Photographs
- Normal wear and tear
- Interest
- Wrongful withholding
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:5 · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:6 · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:7 · N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:8
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What this page covers
New Hampshire's residential security deposit provisions quoted here come from N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:5, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:6, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:7, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:8. Below are the statute's own words on 7 topics, each with a pinpoint citation and a link to the official text. This page does not summarize or interpret the law.
What does New Hampshire law say about move-in or move-out inspections?
upon receiving a deposit from a tenant, a landlord shall forthwith deliver to the tenant a signed receipt stating the amount of the deposit and specifying the place where the deposit or bond for the deposit ... will be held, and shall notify the tenant that any conditions in the rental unit in need of repair or correction should be noted on the receipt or given to the landlord in writing within 5 days of occupancy.
What does New Hampshire law say about the amount of a security deposit?
A landlord shall not demand or receive any security deposit in an amount or value in excess of one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater.
What does New Hampshire law say about returning the deposit?
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.
What does New Hampshire law say about an itemized statement of deductions?
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
How does New Hampshire law refer to normal wear and tear?
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.
What does New Hampshire law say about interest on deposits?
A landlord who holds a security deposit for a period of one year or longer shall pay to the tenant interest on the deposit at a rate equal to the interest rate paid on regular savings accounts in the New Hampshire bank, savings and loan association, or credit union in which it is deposited
What does New Hampshire law say about wrongful withholding?
Any landlord who does not comply with RSA 540-A:6, IV or RSA 540-A:7 shall be liable to the tenant in damages in an amount equal to twice the sum of the amount of the security deposit plus any interest due under this subdivision, less any payments made and any charges owing for damages, unpaid rent, or share of real estate taxes as specified in RSA 540-A:7.
Not quoted on this page
photographs. That does not mean New Hampshire law is silent on them; other sections or local rules may apply. Read the full statute.
Has New Hampshire's security deposit law changed recently?
From our review of the official history notes: Official source notes: 540-A:6 — 1985, 100:6; 1988, 167:1; 1992, 184:4; 2006, 296:1, eff. July 1, 2006; 2014, 56:1, eff. July 26, 2014. 540-A:7 — 1985, 100:6; 1988, 167:2; 2006, 296:2, eff. July 1, 2006. 540-A:5 and 540-A:8 — 1985, 100:6, eff. July 9, 1985. No 2024–2026 amendments shown.
How does ProFlow360 help you document a New Hampshire tenancy?
ProFlow360 records and organizes inspection evidence; it does not tell you what the statute requires or allows. What it records, for any state:
- Move-in, routine, pre-move-out and move-out inspections with photos timestamped at capture.
- Each move-out photo beside its move-in match, filed under the tenancy.
- Itemized lines with your classification, the amount you entered, and the estimate or invoice attached.
- An issued record that is sealed, shared by a link that expires and can be revoked.
Do this in ProFlow360
Keep the photos, the call and the invoice on the same line
Every deduction line carries the move-in and move-out photos, your classification and its documents, so the record can be followed by someone who was not there.
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Sources
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