How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement for any deductions, within 30 days of move-out.

What is the small claims limit for a deposit dispute in New Hampshire?

Small claims court in New Hampshire handles disputes up to $10,000.

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New Hampshire security deposit law

⚠️ Not legal advice. DepositShield is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current — laws change and vary by city and situation. Verify it with an official source and consult a licensed attorney or your local tenants’ rights organization before relying on it or acting. Using DepositShield does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Return deadline

30 days

Small claims limit

$10,000

What you need to know

• Deposit due within 30 days; interest owed if held a year or more.
• Bad-faith withholding costs double.

Itemization: Itemized statement required.

Interest: Interest is owed if the deposit is held one year or more.

Deposit cap: Capped at 1 month’s rent or $100, whichever is greater.

If they wrongfully withhold: Bad faith: 2x the wrongfully withheld amount.

Statute: N.H. Rev. Stat. § 540-A, 540-B

What’s at stake for you?

Deadlines and penalties are state law — check yours, then lock in the evidence.

Your state

Your security deposit ($)

💰 At stake: your $1,500 deposit.

⏱ Deadline: New Hampshire landlords must act within 30 days of move-out.

⚖️ Your leverage: wrongful withholding could cost your landlord up to $3,000 (Bad faith: 2x the wrongfully withheld amount.)

🏛 If it comes to it: small claims in New Hampshire handles up to $10,000 — no lawyer needed.

None of this matters without evidence.

Document your place in 5 minutes — every photo timestamped and hash-verified.

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⚠️ Estimates for general information only — not legal advice and not guaranteed to be accurate. State laws change; verify current law before relying on this. Actual outcomes depend on the facts, your local law, and the courts.

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DepositShield is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current — laws change and vary by city and situation. Verify it with an official source and consult a licensed attorney or your local tenants’ rights organization before relying on it or acting. Using DepositShield does not create an attorney-client relationship.