Facing eviction or a civil dispute in New Hampshire? Get answers before the clock runs out.
A landlord handed you a notice, your security deposit never came back, or someone owes you money and won't pay. In New Hampshire these problems move fast, and the deadlines are short. You don't have to guess what RSA 540 or small claims rules mean for you. Call 1-844-690-0555 right now for free legal information from an AI assistant trained on New Hampshire and federal law, any hour, in plain English. It's not legal advice and creates no attorney-client relationship, but it tells you what to do next.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across New Hampshire.
Civil & Housing in New Hampshire — what to do right now
First, do not ignore any court paper or written notice. In New Hampshire an eviction notice runs as little as 7 days, and once a landlord files a Landlord and Tenant Writ, you may have only days to file your Appearance with the Circuit Court or risk a default judgment against you. Read every date on the document. Keep copies of your lease, texts, emails and payment records. Do not move out, hand over keys, or sign anything just because you were told to. Then call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on your specific deadline and options before you act.
The law in New Hampshire: Civil & Housing
Residential evictions in New Hampshire are governed by RSA chapter 540. A landlord must first serve a written Eviction Notice (also called a notice to quit) that states the reason with specificity. Under RSA 540:2 and 540:3, most terminations require 30 days' notice, but the notice shrinks to just 7 days when the ground is nonpayment of rent, substantial damage to the unit, behavior that adversely affects the health or safety of others, or certain domestic-violence situations. If you don't leave by the deadline, the landlord can't change the locks or shut off your power. They must file a Landlord and Tenant Writ in the Circuit Court District Division, and only a judge can order you out.RSA chapter 540-A both caps deposits and punishes landlords who hold them improperly. A security deposit cannot exceed one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater, and it remains your money held in trust. Under RSA 540-A:7, the landlord must return the deposit, plus any interest due, within 30 days of the tenancy ending, along with an itemized list of any damage charges beyond ordinary wear and tear. Get it wrong and the landlord can be liable for twice the deposit. Note one exception: owner-occupied buildings with five or fewer units are generally outside these deposit rules.
For money disputes up to $10,000, New Hampshire small claims (RSA 503) lets you sue in the Circuit Court District Division. Lawyers are allowed but not required, and once a claim tops $5,000 the parties must try mediation. Personal-injury claims live in Superior Court for anything serious, and RSA 508:4 gives you just 3 years from the injury to file. Consumer rip-offs are policed by the Consumer Protection Act, RSA 358-A, enforced by the NH Department of Justice Consumer Protection Bureau and through private lawsuits with powerful damages.
Key Statutes
- RSA 540:2 & 540:3 — eviction grounds and the 30-day / 7-day notice to quit
- RSA 540-A:3, :6 & :7 — prohibited landlord acts, deposit interest, and 30-day return
- RSA 503 — small claims, $10,000 limit, lawyers permitted
- RSA 508:4 — 3-year deadline for personal-injury and most civil actions
- RSA 358-A — Consumer Protection Act (unfair or deceptive trade practices)
Courts & Agencies
- Circuit Court, District Division — evictions, small claims, civil under $25,000
- Superior Court (11 locations) — civil over $25,000 and all jury trials
- NH Supreme Court (Concord) — the state's only appellate court
- NH Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Bureau — RSA 358-A complaints
- Statewide court information line: 1-855-212-1234
Penalties & Deadlines
- Eviction notice to quit: 30 days, or 7 days for nonpayment/damage/safety grounds
- Security deposit return: within 30 days; up to 2x deposit + interest if breached
- Small claims: up to $10,000; jury trial may be claimed when over $1,500
- Personal injury: 3-year filing deadline (RSA 508:4); no punitive damages
- Consumer Protection Act: actual damages or $1,000, doubled to trebled if willful
The 7-day eviction notice that catches New Hampshire tenants flat-footed
Most tenants assume they'll get a month's warning. In New Hampshire, if your landlord claims you missed rent, damaged the unit, or created a health or safety problem, RSA 540:2 lets them serve a 7-day notice to quit, not 30. Worse, once that notice expires and the landlord files a Landlord and Tenant Writ, the court date arrives quickly, and missing your Appearance deadline can hand the landlord a default judgment and an order of possession against you without a hearing. The single best thing you can do is act the day the paper arrives, not the week before the hearing. Don't lose your home to a deadline you didn't know about. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free legal information now.
Likely outcomes & penalties
Every New Hampshire civil and housing case is different, but knowing the realistic ranges helps you decide whether to fight, settle, or file. Here is what outcomes can look like.Mistakes to avoid
How it works
Free & low-cost Civil & Housing help in New Hampshire
If you can't afford a lawyer, New Hampshire has real free and low-cost help for civil and housing problems. These organizations are genuine and currently operating. Start with them, and call 1-844-690-0555 if you need to understand your options first.
FAQ — Civil & Housing in New Hampshire
How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting me in New Hampshire?
It depends on the reason. Under RSA 540:2 and 540:3, most evictions require a 30-day notice to quit, but it drops to just 7 days for nonpayment of rent, substantial damage, or behavior affecting health or safety. Read the date on your notice carefully, then call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on what it means for you.
Can my New Hampshire landlord just change the locks or shut off my utilities?
No. Self-help evictions are illegal. A landlord must serve a proper notice and then file a Landlord and Tenant Writ in the Circuit Court; only a judge can order you out. Locking you out or cutting power can violate RSA 540-A. If it's happening to you, call 1-844-690-0555 right away for free legal information.
My landlord won't return my security deposit. What can I do?
Under RSA 540-A:7, a New Hampshire landlord must return your deposit plus any interest within 30 days of the tenancy ending, with an itemized list of any damage charges. If they don't, they can be liable for up to twice the deposit. Owner-occupied buildings with five or fewer units are an exception. Call 1-844-690-0555 to learn your next step.
How much can I sue for in New Hampshire small claims court?
Up to $10,000 under RSA 503, filed in the Circuit Court District Division. Lawyers are allowed but not required, and disputes over $5,000 go to mediation first. It's a common path for unpaid debts, property damage and consumer disputes. For help deciding if small claims fits your situation, call 1-844-690-0555 for free information.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims in New Hampshire?
No, you can represent yourself, and many people do. But the other side may bring a lawyer, and presenting evidence well still matters. Before you file, call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on building your claim, and if you'd rather have an attorney, we can help you book a paid consultation.
How long do I have to file a personal-injury claim in New Hampshire?
Generally 3 years from the date of the injury under RSA 508:4. There's a limited discovery rule if you couldn't reasonably have known you were harmed, but waiting is risky because missing the deadline usually ends the case. New Hampshire allows no punitive damages and caps no compensatory ones. Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand your timeline.
What is the Consumer Protection Act and how much can I recover?
RSA 358-A bans unfair or deceptive business practices in New Hampshire. A private lawsuit can recover your actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater, and a court that finds a willful or knowing violation must award 2 to 3 times that amount, plus attorney's fees. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on whether your situation may qualify.
I got a court paper for an eviction. What do I do first?
Don't ignore it. A Landlord and Tenant Writ comes with a short deadline to file your Appearance with the Circuit Court, and missing it can mean an automatic default and order of possession. Keep every document and payment record. Then call 1-844-690-0555 immediately for free legal information on your specific deadline.
Can I be evicted in New Hampshire for complaining about repairs?
Retaliatory eviction is restricted. If you asserted a legal right, like reporting a code violation or a habitability problem, and the landlord moved to evict you shortly after, that timing can support a defense under New Hampshire law. Every case turns on its facts, so call 1-844-690-0555 for free information about your situation.
Is the call really free, and will it give me legal advice?
Yes, 1-844-690-0555 is free and answers 24/7, with no income test and no web form. It gives legal information, not legal advice, and creates no attorney-client relationship. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender. If you want representation, we can help you book a paid consultation with a New Hampshire-licensed attorney.
Does it matter which New Hampshire city or county I'm in?
Your case is usually heard where the property or dispute is, in the right Circuit Court District Division, from Manchester and Nashua to Concord, Dover, Keene or Laconia. The statutes are statewide, but local court schedules and service centers differ. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information tailored to your situation.
Are you a New Hampshire Civil & Housing attorney?
We connect Granite Staters who need help with landlord-tenant, small claims, personal-injury and consumer matters to licensed New Hampshire attorneys. If you practice Civil & Housing law in New Hampshire and want to receive vetted client referrals, join our network. It's a simple way to reach people actively looking for representation in your area.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Don't let a New Hampshire deadline decide your case for you
Evictions, deposit fights, small claims and injury clocks all move faster than people expect, and a missed date can cost you your home or your claim. You can get clear answers right now, for free, in plain English. Call 1-844-690-0555, 24/7, for legal information from an AI assistant trained on New Hampshire and federal law, and a path to a licensed New Hampshire attorney if you want one. No income test. No web form. Just call.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.