State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
New Hampshire Security Deposit Laws
Under New Hampshire RSA 540-A:6, New Hampshire landlords must return security deposits within 30 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld.
Quick Answer
In New Hampshire, landlords have 30 days to return your security deposit after you move out and provide a forwarding address. The maximum deposit is 1 month's rent (or $100 minimum). If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $10,000) and may recover Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld under New Hampshire RSA 540-A:6. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
Received deductions from your landlord?
Check if they violate New Hampshire law
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
What New Hampshire Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 30 days to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face Up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $10,000without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A formal letter citing the applicable rule and documenting the amount is harder to ignore than a phone call. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $500-1,6005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Heating System
Typical: $200-60015-year useful life per IRS Publication 527. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
How It Works
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Drop in your landlord's deduction letter — about 30 seconds, no account.
See Which Charges Don't Hold Up
Our AI checks each deduction against New Hampshire law and HUD guidelines — free.
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See how much may be recoverable. A court-ready demand letter is optional if you decide to act.
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Get a Demand Letter That Cites These Laws
Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against New Hampshire RSA 540-A:6 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
Legal Demand Letter
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
What you'll see before you decide
A document-specific answer, not a generic promise:
- The amount at issue, itemized
- The rules or contract terms that appear applicable
- What looks strong, weak, or needs more evidence
Free analysis first. The optional letter comes after you see the result.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
Free analysis · No signup · No card
Check each deduction against New Hampshire law, including New Hampshire RSA 540-A:6, and see what may be disputable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a New Hampshire landlord have to return my deposit?
New Hampshire landlords have 30 days to return your deposit with an itemized statement of any deductions.
What is the deposit limit in New Hampshire?
One month's rent or $100, whichever is greater. Pet deposits may be charged additionally.
What penalties exist for wrongful withholding?
New Hampshire allows recovery of up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
How much can I recover in New Hampshire for a wrongful deposit withholding?
New Hampshire allows up to 2x the deposit wrongfully withheld under RSA 540-A:7. Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $10,000. With typical New Hampshire deposits of $1,400, doubled recoveries can reach $2,800 plus court costs.
Official Resources
- New Hampshire Attorney General Consumer Protection(Government)
- 603 Legal Aid(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how New Hampshire's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
Find the Improper Charges in Your New Hampshire Deductions
Your New Hampshire landlord had 30 days to return your deposit — see whether they met every requirement.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
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Average New Hampshire deposit: $1,400 · New Hampshire RSA 540-A:6 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527