Concord is the capital of New Hampshire and the seat of Merrimack County. Its rental market includes downtown apartments, multi-family housing, and properties near the State House and regional employers. Tenant rights in Concord are governed by New Hampshire's landlord-tenant statutes — primarily RSA 540 (eviction and termination) and RSA 540-A (prohibited acts and security deposits). New Hampshire's framework is less detailed than many states, relying more on common law and local housing codes for habitability. The state has no rent control, and Concord has not enacted local tenant protection ordinances.
New Hampshire has no rent control, and Concord has enacted no local rent regulation. Landlords may raise rent by any amount, provided they give at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect for month-to-month tenants (RSA 540:2). Fixed-term lease rents are locked in until the lease expires unless the lease allows for mid-term increases. Because there is no cap on rent increases in New Hampshire, reviewing your renewal terms carefully and understanding your notice rights is essential.
New Hampshire caps security deposits at one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater, and requires landlords to return deposits within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement (RSA 540-A:6). Failure to comply entitles tenants to double the wrongfully withheld amount. Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice before a landlord terminates the tenancy (RSA 540:2). New Hampshire recognizes an implied warranty of habitability — landlords must maintain essential services including heat and plumbing — and municipal code enforcement is often the most effective tool for habitability complaints. The anti-retaliation statute (RSA 540:13-a) prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for reporting housing code violations or exercising legal rights. Self-help eviction is prohibited under RSA 540-A:2.
New Hampshire limits security deposits to one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater (RSA 540-A:6). Your landlord must return the full deposit within 30 days after you vacate, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Deductions may cover only unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear. If your landlord fails to return the deposit or provides an incomplete statement within the 30-day window, you may recover double the wrongfully withheld amount. Photograph the unit at move-in and move-out and keep all communications with your landlord in writing.
New Hampshire landlords must provide written notice before filing for eviction — at least 7 days for nonpayment of rent and at least 30 days for month-to-month terminations (RSA 540:2–3). After the notice period, the landlord must file for eviction through district court. No tenant may be removed without a court order. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is prohibited under RSA 540-A:2. If your landlord attempts a self-help eviction in Concord, document everything and contact New Hampshire Legal Assistance immediately.
The 30-day no-cause notice applies only to "nonrestricted" property. The 30-day no-cause termination notice described above is available only for "nonrestricted" property under RSA 540:1-a (for example, owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units). For "restricted" property — most non-owner-occupied rentals — a landlord cannot terminate the tenancy without one of the statutory good-cause grounds in RSA 540:2, II, so giving notice alone is not enough; the notice periods themselves are set by RSA 540:3, not RSA 540:2.
2026 update — HB60 (effective July 1, 2026): HB60 amends RSA 540:2 to add the expiration of a written residential lease term of 12 months or longer (including cumulative renewals reaching 12 or more months) as a good-cause ground for not renewing a "restricted"-property tenancy. The landlord must give at least 60 days' written notice of non-renewal and must file any eviction (possessory) action within six months of the lease expiration. Such no-fault, end-of-lease non-renewals are excluded from a tenant's reportable eviction history for tenant-screening purposes. Confirm the codified text of RSA 540:2 on or after July 1, 2026.
If you need help with a landlord-tenant issue in Concord, the following organizations can assist:
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change; verify current statutes and consult a licensed attorney or legal aid organization for advice specific to your situation.
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