New Hampshire Security Deposit Law: A 2026 Landlord's Guide
How much can you charge in New Hampshire?
1 month's rent or $100. Whichever is greater. Doesn't apply to some small owner-occupied situations.
Returning the deposit: the 30 days deadline
After the tenancy ends, New Hampshire gives you 30 days to return the deposit. Itemization with receipts for repairs. Blowing the deadline is the single most common way landlords lose deposit disputes — courts read these statutes strictly, and in many states a late or missing itemization forfeits your right to keep anything.
What you can deduct
- Unpaid rent and other amounts the lease authorizes
- Damage beyond normal wear and tear — holes in walls, broken fixtures, pet damage
- Never normal wear and tear — faded paint, carpet worn by ordinary use, minor scuffs
The dispute is almost never about the rule — it's about the evidence. Date-stamped move-in and move-out photos plus an itemized statement with receipts is what wins in small-claims court.
Interest and holding requirements
Interest owed if the deposit is held a year or more. Confirm the mechanics in N.H. RSA 540-A:5 to A:8 — interest and account rules are where compliant landlords most often slip.
Track every deposit — and settle it correctly when the tenant leaves
LandlordPro tracks every deposit you hold, carries it across lease renewals, walks you through the return-vs-keep settlement with an itemized record, and reminds you of New Hampshire's deadline. Free to start — up to 4 units.
Start tracking deposits free →Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New Hampshire?
1 month's rent or $100 is the statutory maximum. See N.H. RSA 540-A:5 to A:8.
How long does a New Hampshire landlord have to return a security deposit?
30 days after the tenancy ends, generally with an itemized statement of any deductions. Missing the deadline can forfeit your right to deduct — and in many states triggers statutory damages.
What can a landlord deduct from a deposit in New Hampshire?
Typically unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other charges the lease authorizes. Normal wear and tear — faded paint, worn carpet from ordinary use — is never deductible. Documentation (move-in/move-out photos and an itemized list) is what wins disputes.
Do New Hampshire landlords owe interest on security deposits?
Interest owed if the deposit is held a year or more.
Handling New Hampshire deposits with LandlordPro
LandlordPro keeps a ledger of every deposit you hold — who paid it, which lease it secures, and what happened to it. When a tenancy ends, the settlement workflow records what you returned and what you kept (with reasons), generates a tenant-facing settlement statement, and books any kept portion into your income reports correctly. Combined with the New Hampshire eviction guide and move-in/move-out inspections with photos, you'll have the paper trail that deposit statutes reward.
LandlordPro is a software tool, not a law firm. This page summarizes statutes as of June 2026 for general information; amounts, deadlines, and requirements change. Verify N.H. RSA 540-A:5 to A:8 or consult a licensed attorney in New Hampshire before acting.