New Hampshire Security Deposit Remedies

A landlord who does not comply with covered deposit-return rules can be liable under RSA 540-A:8 for damages calculated from the deposit and interest due, less specified payments and lawful charges. The statute also protects a landlord from liability/forfeiture where noncompliance is due to the tenant failing to provide a new address at termination.

Last reviewed: August 30, 20262 official sources cited

Potential damages2× statutory net amount

See RSA 540-A:8(I)(b) for the exact formula.

New-address exceptionCan affect liability

Failure to provide a new address at termination matters.

Unclaimed deposit6 months

The statute contains an unclaimed-funds rule absent fraud.

Do not apply the damages formula blindly

The deposit amount, interest due, payments already made, lawful deductions and forwarding-address facts all affect the statutory calculation.

Use the current RSA, not a proposed 2027 change. The 2026 regulated-conditional-deposit legislation was vetoed. Educational information only.

Official sources

New Hampshire General CourtRSA 540-A:8 — Remedies ↗

Current official statute covering damages, new-address consequences, unclaimed deposits and waiver.

New Hampshire General CourtRSA 540-A:7 — Return of Security Deposit ↗

Current official statute covering the 30-day return, reasonable-wear exclusion, itemized damages and repair evidence.

Related New Hampshire guides

Security Deposit →Deposit Limit →5-Day Condition Notice →30-Day Rule →