Free New Hampshire Rent-to-Own Agreement Template

Last reviewed September 2026

Written by LawLease Editorial

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New Hampshire Rent-to-Own Agreement

This Rent-to-Own Agreement is built with New Hampshire as the governing state. These are the New Hampshire landlord-tenant rules that most often bear on it, with the statute for each.

New Hampshire rules at a glance

New Hampshire rules for a Rent-to-Own Agreement
Security deposit limit	1 month’s rent or $100, whichever is greaterRSA 540-A:6, I
Deposit return	30 days, with interest due and an itemized list of damagesRSA 540-A:7
Deposit interest	Owed once the deposit is held a year or more, at the bank’s savings rateRSA 540-A:6, IV
Deposit receipt	A signed receipt stating the amount and where the deposit or bond is held, unless the deposit was paid by check (RSA 540-A:6, I(b)–(c)).
Transfer of deposit	If the property is sold, the deposit passes to the new owner within 5 days and the tenant must be told by registered or certified mail who holds it (RSA 540-A:6, III).
Deposit rights	Any lease clause purporting to waive the tenant’s security-deposit rights is void (RSA 540-A:8, III).

Security deposits in New Hampshire

A New Hampshire landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit of more than one month’s rent or $100, whichever is greater (RSA 540-A:6, I(a)). The statute treats any money beyond the monthly rent that a tenant pays for any purpose as a security deposit (RSA 540-A:5, II).

The deposit rules don’t apply to someone who rents out a single-family home and owns no other rental property, or who rents units in an owner-occupied building of five units or fewer — except for any unit occupied by a tenant aged 60 or older (RSA 540-A:5, I).

Receipt & condition list — On receiving a deposit (other than by check), the landlord must give a signed receipt stating the amount and where it’s held. In every case the landlord must tell the tenant in writing that a list of conditions needing repair should be given to the landlord within 5 days of occupancy (RSA 540-A:6, I(b)–(c)).
Held in trust — The deposit remains the tenant’s money, can’t be commingled with the landlord’s own funds, and must be kept in a New Hampshire bank, savings and loan or credit union — or covered by a bond posted with the town or city clerk (RSA 540-A:6, II).
Interest — A deposit held for a year or longer earns interest at the rate paid on regular savings accounts at the institution holding it; on request the landlord must disclose the institution, account and rate (RSA 540-A:6, IV).
Return — Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit and any interest due, with a written itemized list of damages (excluding reasonable wear and tear) that describes each repair and includes evidence such as receipts or estimates (RSA 540-A:7).
Penalty — Failing to return the deposit or pay interest on time makes the landlord liable for twice the deposit plus interest, less lawful deductions. Any lease clause waiving these rights is void (RSA 540-A:8).

Rent, late fees & rent increases

New Hampshire has no statute capping residential late fees or limiting how much rent can rise. A late fee is enforceable because the lease provides for it.

Rent-increase notice — For most rentals, a tenant’s refusal to accept a rent increase is “good cause” for eviction only if the landlord gave written notice of the new amount and its effective date at least 30 days beforehand (RSA 540:2, IV).
Paying to stop an eviction — A nonpayment case must be dismissed if, before the hearing, the tenant pays all rent due plus other lawful lease charges, $15 in liquidated damages and the landlord’s filing and service costs. A tenant can use this right no more than 3 times in 12 months (RSA 540:9).
Application fees — Since January 2025 the landlord must disclose any application fee and screening requirements in writing before collecting it, and refund anything beyond actual screening and reasonable administrative costs to an applicant who isn’t offered the unit, within 30 days (RSA 540-A:3, VIII).

Required disclosures in New Hampshire

Deposit receipt — A signed receipt stating the amount and where the deposit or bond is held, unless the deposit was paid by check (RSA 540-A:6, I(b)–(c)).
5-day condition list notice — Written notice that the tenant should list any conditions needing repair within 5 days of occupancy (RSA 540-A:6, I(c)).
Transfer of deposit — If the property is sold, the deposit passes to the new owner within 5 days and the tenant must be told by registered or certified mail who holds it (RSA 540-A:6, III).
Lead-based paint — Federal disclosure and EPA pamphlet for housing built before 1978 (42 U.S.C. §4852d).

Tenant protections you can’t waive

No lockouts — A landlord may not seize or deny a tenant access to the unit or the tenant’s property except through judicial process (RSA 540-A:3, II–III).
Deposit rights — Any lease clause purporting to waive the tenant’s security-deposit rights is void (RSA 540-A:8, III).
No retaliation — Retaliation for reporting violations or organizing with other tenants is a defense to eviction, unless the tenant owes a week’s rent or more (RSA 540:13-a).
Belongings after move-out — A landlord must store a departed tenant’s belongings with reasonable care for 7 days and let the tenant retrieve them without charge (RSA 540-A:3, VII).

New Hampshire Rent-to-Own Agreement FAQs

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New Hampshire?

No more than one month’s rent or $100, whichever is greater (RSA 540-A:6, I). Small owner-occupied buildings of five or fewer units and single-family homes owned by someone with no other rentals are exempt from the deposit rules, except for units occupied by tenants 60 or older (RSA 540-A:5).

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

30 days after the tenancy ends, together with any interest due and an itemized list of damages backed by receipts or estimates. Missing the deadline exposes the landlord to twice the deposit plus interest, less lawful deductions (RSA 540-A:7, 540-A:8).

How much notice is required for a rent increase in New Hampshire?

At least 30 days’ written notice stating the new amount and effective date. A tenant’s refusal of a properly noticed increase is “other good cause” for eviction (RSA 540:2, IV). New Hampshire doesn’t cap the amount of the increase.

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